non fiction

My Secret Camera: Life in the Lodz Ghetto. The photographer is Mendel Grossman and the text is done by Frank Dabba Smith. This is the compilation of photographs and explanations of the photographs relating to the Holocaust. Mendel Grossman was able to capture the anguish as well as the strong spirit of the people trapped in the Lodz Ghetto. The compilation of the photographs bears witness to the souls of those who were forced to be there and the atrocities which occurred there.

This book is a non-fiction book which hinges on social justice as this book was intended to serve as a reminder of the atrocious acts carried out against those who were Jewish. There is a great level of respect for people in this book because Grossman intends to capture both the good and bad within the ghetto. He wishes to leave his work to be a reminder, to about bring awareness to the events that happened in the Lodz Ghetto.

This book can be included in class lessons when we discuss about the holocaust, humanity, social justice and awareness, historical significance, and photography.

biography

Mermaid Queen is written by Shana Corey and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. This story is about Annette Kellerman who was the inventor of water ballet and advocate of women’s health. This book tells of Annette’s life and major accomplishments.

This book is a biography about Annette Kellerman, an Australian born woman who defied social conventions and became an athlete and an accomplished swimmer. This was a wonderful book which exemplified the effect women can have on society. I believe this book has the power to show girls that they too can make a difference by doing what they love and standing up for what they believe in. The book covered all six elements. Annette was willing to stir up awareness about health and wellness by swimming through London and Australia. She was proud and confident in herself. She respected others but was willing to push their comfort levels by backing up her statements with proof and action. She created water ballet and is credited for inventing the modern swimsuit.

Mermaid Queen is one of my new favorite books which really exemplifies the power women have to help create and push on change in society. This book can be used during discussions on women’s history, biographies, influential women, and change that affects us today.

Non-Fiction: Delivering Your Mail

This book by Ann Owen is simplistic book about mail carriers for toddlers and young preschooler learning about community helpers. The book not only address what mail carriers do , but how they may impact the young readers. This book does not really address any social justice elements although it does teach young children about their community and those that impact their community on a daily basis. 

* I had previous typed and save this although the grading is completed. *

Historical Fiction

Squirrel and John Muir is written by Emily Arnold McCully. This story is of a girl named Florence, nicknamed squirrel, she lives in Yosemite National Park around the year 1868. While living in the hotel her parents run, she meets John Muir who will become a famous naturalist, scientist, in America. The book shows their encounter and the relationship that builds overtime.

This book is a historical fiction young reader book. Squirrel and John Muir shows very superficially the life of Florence and how she grew up and acted as a young girl. She is shown to be a gutsy, no fear child. She is also shown to be a bit primitive and lacking manners. When she meets John Muir, he teaches her about the value and small intricacies of the forest in which she lives in. he helps her to develop an appreciation of the world around her. It is an ok book to briefly talk about two American characters from history.  The story does not go into much detail. The colors of the illustrations definitely help to draw attention to the book.

This book shows respect for others by John Muir showing Florence the good in nature and how to be kind and understanding of people, plants, and nature as a whole. This book can be used in class to add information during lessons on settlers and early America.

realistic fiction

I Completely Know about Guinea Pigs is a realistic fiction book written by Lauren Child, Paul Larson, and Laura Beaumont. When Lola learns a lot about how to take care of guinea pigs but things take a strange and happy turn when she is chosen to take, Burt, the class guinea pig home during school vacation.

This realistic fiction book is a great way to teach children about guinea pigs and some very general care about the animals. Having a hamster myself I thought this was a cute book that made learning about small animals fun and inviting. The book showed real pictures of different kinds of guinea pigs and gave real instructions on caring for the small rodent.

The book showed self-love and knowing. Lola showed that it was ok not to know everything and that if you don’t know the answer it is good to ask. There is no shame in asking for help or asking questions, in fact that is how we learn, by asking questions. I Completely Know about Guinea Pigs also showed a respect for others, Lola respected the opinions and suggestions of her classmates as they educated her on guinea pigs. The book also shows how to respect animals, by giving them what they need to live as well as to make sure they are ok and live a good life. The book also raises awareness about guinea pigs and proper care as well as a bit of history of the animal.

This book can be incorporated into the class when talking about science, biology, the environment, animals or even if the teacher is thinking about introducing a class pet with students.

~AE

Timeless Thomas

Thomas Edison is most famous for inventing the light bulb but, he also developed many other staples of modern technology.  Despite many failures, Edison persevered and created many inventions we still use today. Many of his inventions are life-changing. This book enters the laboratory of one of American's most important inventors and compares it to many of the current devices that are part of Edison's inventions. This book discusses social action as many of Edison's inventions changed the world we know today which can be viewed in its original form in the book. This book would be great for young scientists such as 1st or 2nd graders to introduce them to the the topic of scientists and invention. 
A brief preview of the book can be viewed at:
http://us.macmillan.com/timelessthomas/GeneBarretta

Players In Pigtails

By Shana Corey

Illustrated by: Rebecca Gibbon

Katie Casey, a young girl, was not good at dancing, or home ec, but she was good at baseball. She loved to swing the bat and her the ball fly into outfield. She loved the uniforms, and running the basses. There was only one thing wrong; she was never allowed on the all boys team. After the war started in America, most baseball players were shipped off, so something had to be done. After thinking long and hard, Mr. Wrigley decided that America must start a woman’s league. That they did, and this was Katie Casey’s chance at the big leagues. Players in pigtails is the fictional story of how the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. 

Folklore: Twelve Dancing Princesses

The Twelve Dancing Princesses is your atypical fairy tale. The King discovers that each morning when his daughters wake their shoes are worn. To find out how the shoes are being worn you will have to read the book. The pictures are elaborate and exquisite. The princesses have self-confidence, self-love and knowledge, explores the issue of independence, and raises awareness and women.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

By: Simms Taback

Simms Taback is the same author that wrote "The Woman Who Swallowed A Fly." Joseph, an old jewish man, has a very large overcoat. As the story begins the coat gets worn and he makes it into a smaller coat, then that gets worn, and he continues to make the coat into new clothing. It is the classic story of "something out of nothing." If you want to understand how Joseph makes something out of nothing you will have to read the book to find out! (They have it in the Gallaudet library.) This book has great pictures that will keep the students interested, as well as many activities to go along with this book. Enjoy!

folklore

Arrow to the Sun is a Pueblo Indian tale written and illustrated by Gerald McDermott. The book tells of how light and spirit was brought to mankind from the sun.  The story is accompanied by lovely colorful images.

This book on folklore is wonderfully illustrated with many bright colors which is sure to keep the attention of any child with a story to match. I really enjoyed the story and how it tries to explain the world around us by involving the supernatural. This book brings about social awareness for different belief systems as well as different perspectives. While reading this book it would be beneficial, while reading this book, to show a respect for other cultures. By explaining why cultural acceptance is important it will be possible to build a community environment in the classroom where students feel accepted. This book is not entirely based in truth as it pertains to the cultural practices which should be kept in mind. Do research about the culture when looking for books!

Arrow to the Sun can be incorporated into class by using it in conjunction with learning about America, cultures, folklore, and Native American studies.

~AE

Chinese folklore - Tikki Tikki Tembo

This story discusses the old Chinese folktale about how the people of China came to give their children short names after traditionally giving their "first and honored" sons grand, long names due to one of the main characters Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sarembo Hari Kari Pi Chi Pip Peri Pembo's name leading to his death. Curious about what happend to Tikki Tikki Tembo....... read the book or full folklore :-) !

 I personally would read this book to my class as it has alot of repetition and can be a great predictive text as the story repeats itself twice. Although the book does not discuss any current social justice elements it can be said that this story mentions the social movement in Chinese culture about naming their first honored son's long names to naming them short names due to this accident. 

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poetry

Dinothesaurus is written and illustrated by Douglas Florian. This prehistoric inspired book is filled with paintings and poems. This book is filled with all sorts of dinosaur related poems and interesting paintings.

This book genre is poetry and although it does not contain hard hitting content relating to social justice it is a fun book to get children interested in poetry via their love for dinosaurs or to get children who love poetry interested in dinosaurs. The illustrations are colorful and the poems are funny. It is an easy read. The poems help with rhyming words, similes, comparing, logic, and history of different kinds of dinosaurs.

I thought this book was a fun way to introduce students to poetry by branching off of preexisting interests of my students.

Along with other books of poetry in various topics I would be able to present poetry in a fun way where my students would be able to relate to the new content being taught.

~AE

Poetry Picture Book

The book is different poems in the form of raps. A CD is included in the book for those who want to listen to the book auditorily. The pages and poems grammatically are similar to those of a hip hop or rap song and do not follow the English language rules that have been set up for us to follow. The pictures are very colorful but also abstract with diversity. Social Justice Elements included in this book, is self-love and knowledge, and raising awareness.

Poetry: If You Could Wear My Sneaker

If You Could Wear My Sneakers  is a book that talks about children's rights throughout the various poems the author created as a partner with UNICEF. The nonsense verses are conveys through the voices of the various animals  in a funny way discussing the serious subject of the rights of children to an education, adequate food, shelter and health care, safety, privacy, fair treatment, freedom of speech and protection from war throughout the authors playful verses and cartoons. I personally think the poems are very witty and have strong meanings behind their playful appearance and would use this book in my future classroom as it is based on the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child .

* If these were to be used in a Deaf education classroom using ASL they would need alot of practicing and translation as the words in English are wacky, let alone ASL ! Not easy to sign ! *

Here is my favorite poem: 

If you were me And I were you For just a day Or maybe two Then maybe you And maybe me Would see the me That you were tooBecause... The you I see You try to be Never ever Speaks to me

See... If you knew The me I am Or I could know The you you be I think we would Eventually Discover we liked Broccoli!Yeah... We could form The broccoli bunch Invite each other Out to lunch Share our little Broccoli trees Cover them With melted cheese

But... You pass me by Without a smile As if I were A crocodile Then look the other Way in case You see the me That's in my face If you could wear my sneakers (You might have to plug your nose) And if I could wear your shoes (Even if they crunched my toes) Maybe we could see the us We never got to meet The you and me That might have found More broccoli To eat

By Sheree Fitch

( The poem was to little to read via scan but the picture is clear as can be) I will bring this tomorrow ! 

Dear Hot Dog 

By: Mordicai Gerstein

This is a poetry book for young children. As toy notice I posted two pictures: one of the cover and one of the beautiful illustrations inside the book. This is one of the many pages filled with beautiful pictures, and interesting poems. This book has so many poems about everyday items. It talks about toothbrushes, pillows, crayons, all the way to scissors. It is a great book for children to look at the pictures and understand what the poem is conveying. I think this book takes the cake for amazing illustrations, I recommend you take a look, or buy! 

Social justice

Susan B Anthony
By Alexandra Wallner

(Because of illness I was unable to be in class on Wednesday. Here is one of the books I had planned to bring. I also planned to bring the Sissy Duckling, I showed you today.

This book is the story of Susan B Anthony's life and her fight for women's equality. The book discusses different examples in which she was not allowed to do things because she was a woman, and had all of the information factually correct.

Some of the social justice elements included are: 1.Self-love and knowledge, giving women and young girls pride. 2. Respect for others, it was never about women being better but equality And allowing her and other women the opportunity to do the same as the men (learn math and vote). 3. Social injustice 4. Social movements and change 5. Raising awareness 6. Taking action, this book can give students the motivation to stand up for what they really believe in.

adolecent readers

Number the Stars is written by Lois Lowry. This book is meant for adolescent readers. The story is of a young girl named Annemarie who loves in demark during the time of the Nazi regime. She and her family are desperately trying to hide one of her friends, who is Jewish, from the Nazi soldiers all while keeping their own family safe.

Six elements of Social Justice Curriculum Design are contained within this book. Self-love and knowing are shown in this book as Annemarie understands herself and others around her. She comes to terms with her responsibility to her friend. Her and her family have a true respect for others, they try to help who they can against a tyrannical system who does not believe everyone had value. The issue of social justice is, as a whole, the Holocaust. The social justice on a more individual level is having to decide what level of involvement the family and Annemarie play in the Holocaust and if they will help or hurt those around them. Within the book the Nazi social movement and call for social change are seen. It is imperative to show children that social movements can be both good and bad and that it is our job to understand which is which. The awareness raising in the book is also critical. The awareness about the holocaust must be shown as well as other instances of holocausts occurring, from the past to the recent present. Social action is shown by Annemarie as she and her family decide that they must do what is right instead of what is easy.

Number the Stars can be incorporated into the curriculum during holocaust remembrance week, when learning about the Nazi Regime, or when talking about social justice. This book is a good conduit to help talk about the tough topic of genocide.

~AE

early readers

This is Not My Hat is written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. This book is a cute story of a small fish who may or may not have stolen a lovely little hat from large sleeping fish. Maybe. Let us see if this little fish gets away with the hat. This book is sure to entice young readers with it whimsy and sense of suspense.

This is not my hat is a fictional book. Even though this book is simple it includes many elements within. It covers the topic of knowing, the little fish knew that it was wrong to steal, but, he tried to justify it any way. There are parts of the book where it can be asked if the little fish had respect for others and their property. There is also the issue of social justice. How did the large fish deal with the little fish, what should have been done. How should we handle the situation if someone takes something that is ours?

I love the simplicity of this book and the lovely illustrations. It honestly made me laugh and gravitate to it instantly. It is quite easy to include this book in class, especially, when talking about feelings, manners, behavior, and social interactions amongst peers.

~AE

Emergent Readers: Dr Seuss

 

 

Dr. Seuss is known for his memorable rhyming stories that children love to read. Wacky Wednesday is no different. Sometimes children need more to keep them entertained and this book was no short of that. At each page there was a new thing to figure out what was wacky. The pictures are vibrant, some easy to tell what is wacky and others a little more tricky. The book has repetition, high frequency words and some new words that can be introduced. This book raises awareness and has students be observant to the words and the connection with the picture. 

A Picture Book for Emergent Readers

A Picture Book for Emergent Readers 

By: Rose Fyleman 

Illustrated by: Lois Ehlert

Mice is a cute book that follows two mice that are friends. The story is simple: what do these mice do, what do they eat, how they behave and what they look like. The background to the book is black, and the mice are cut out of fabric. The words are large and white, and has about 7 (at the most) words on a page. What is interesting about this book is that the pictures of items inside the book are labeled. This is great for young children who are emergent readers. They can notice pictures with words, as well as sentences with few words. Plus, it had a cute ending that children will enjoy! Mice is a great book that will motivate young emergent readers!

The Great Kapok Tree - Picture Book for Upper Elementary

Grades 4-5 

While trying to chop down a Kapok tree in the Amazon Rain Forest a young man naps , during his nap  various animals of the forest whisper why the Kapok tree is so important to them in hopes of convincing him to leave the Kapok tree alone. This story supports the Social Justice Element #5 Raising Awareness introducing children to the topic of deforestation and natural habitats as well as creates awareness about preserving trees and animals. I would use this book in my classroom with younger students as a read aloud interactively or as a shared reading activity to provide extended exposure to the content of the books and the vocabulary used. 

Diversity

And Tango makes three is a wonderful book about diversity and social issues. The authors are Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. The illustrator is Henry Cole. This is a true story of two chinstrap penguins in Central Park Zoo in New York City. Their names are Roy and Silo. They fell in love with each other and with help from the Zoo staff were able to hatch and care for a baby penguin named Tango.

This book falls into the fiction genre although the events really happened. The book shows respect for others. The zoo keeper was accepting of Roy and Silo. She gave them an egg to hatch themselves. This book exemplifies being able to see and accept others even if they are divergent from us. And Tango makes three also shows an element of self-love and knowing. If there is a child who can relate to this book it shows them that there are many different kinds of families. That it doesn’t matter what families look like so long as there is love, understanding, communication, and respect.

I love this book because it shows diversity in such an open, positive, and natural way. It is easy for children to read and understand the message.

This book can be incorporated into class when taking about family, family heritage, feelings, and the animal kingdom. It is a very versatile book and can fit into a lesson plan with ease.

~AE

Good-bye Havana! Hola New York

The book I chose is Good-bye Havana! Hola New York by Edie Colon and illustrated by Raul Colon.

The story takes place in early 1960 in Cuba during the time of the revolution, when Fidel Castro was, and eventually gained power over Cuba. the main character, Gabriela  tells of how her parents, her, and later her grand parents moved to the Bronx, in New York. They immigrated in order to escape the harsh hand of Castro.

Good-bye Havana! Hola New York is historical fiction. The author Edie includes an editors note explaining that the events all happened to him and that the invented the character of Gabriela to be able to better tell the story. I chose this book because this story mirrors what my father and his family and all of my aunts and uncles went through in the 1960's. This story is innocent, but, within it the underlying reality of life in Cuba during that time can be seen. Within my family we had many aunts and uncles arrive in America before. They helped when my dad, uncle, grandmother, and late grandfather immigrated together. my great-grand parents came a few years after. and still a few stayed in Cuba. Growing up i heard all of the stories and learned a great deal of how life was like there. my family's choice to come her is the reason why i am here. my heritage is a part of everything i do and how i see myself. knowing where i come from is important. this book is a starting place where i can begin to explain where i am from and why i am here.

The social justice portion of the book is evident withing the political tones threaded throughout the book. included are the resistance, the overthrow of the old government and the takeover of the country by Castro as well as what happened after Castro came to power.

I would have this book available to my students when we do our unit on cultural heritage as well as have  other books of children from other countries coming to America.

~AE

Nina, Nina Ballerina: Taylor's Identity and Culture

 

Nina, Nina Ballerina identifies with every little girl that has the dream of being a dancer. I grew up in the dance studio starting at the age of two and always felt I could connect with this book. This book may not fit with everyone, but the book does include boys and girls and represents my culture. Dance is my identity and the joy of my life. 

Nina is getting ready for her big performance but is worried about how her mom will know which one is her on the stage with everyone in the same costumes, and that she will mess up. Her mother reminders her that she will always be able to know her daughter on stage and she will that she will be beautiful. What do you do that makes you feel beautiful?

Picture Book Reflecting my Identity

My Two Grannies

It was difficult to find a book that I felt really portrayed how I grew up. My mom was born and raised in a strong Jewish family, and my dad in a strong Christian family. When the families first met, lets just say it didn't go smoothly. The parents didnt agree on how everything should be ran in my parents house hold. Just like Alvina, her two grandmas: Grannie Vero from Trinidad and Grannie Rose from England. When Alvina's parents go on vacation, both grannies arrive to look after Alvina. But the two grannies have two very different ideas about what to eat, what to play, and even what sorties to tell. The grannies get angrier and angrier with each other, but Alvina devises a plan so that each granny can have her own way- or so she hopes! This book really shows how I grew up, and that not all families get along at first, but that in the end they love each other because of what brings them together. :)

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses- Picture book reflecting a sense of Identity

This is one of my favorite children's books that discusses identity. Olivia is on a quest for individuality and wants to stand out and be unique and do more than just fit in! Throughout the book she brainstorms ideas of what she could be instead of a pink, loving, fairy princess when she grows up. Throughout the book the author emphasizes the meaning of why it is important to be different. I recommend this book for young children as it highlights diversity in a comical, colorful , joyful way which emphasizes acceptance in the classroom.  This book emphasizes the social justice elements of respect for others and self - love through individuality. 

I think this is an accurate book to display my sense of identity as I went through many identity crisis's as a child, young adult and adult. First struggling to be different at home when my sister was diagnosed as deaf, this caused a five year old identity crisis wearing funky clothes , 2 different shoes , different colored nail polish on each finger, etc. my mom tell me I was a very unique child and hated to be like others until middle school hit . After the crazy hormones of middle school , entering high school I was on a quest for individuality once again , and again when entering college . I choose senior year of high school to go four hours away from home to Bloomsburg in PA because I wanted to start over and meet new people , in a new environment and start my quest to becoming a professional. In the mist of college once again I re-evaluated who I wanted to be when I " grow up" , continuing on the path to become the individual I am today. 

Inspired by "The Museum"

The Museum is a new favorite children's book that I discovered while on my Deaf Education internship. I was fortunate to meet the author during a read aloud and learn more about the background of this book. I love this book because it not only highlights the unique nature of museums in largely populated areas such as DC but also, the feelings many children feel while in a museum and what the artwork makes people think about. My favorite part about this book is the captivate emotions that are expressed.  

my favorite children's book

Birthday Monsters by Sandra Boynton

I remember my mother reading this book to me when I was a kid. I loved the colorful pictures and the personalities that each monster had. It still remains one of my favorites and always brings a childlike smile to my face.
~AE

It's Okay to be Different!

This is one of my favorite children's books to use with young children simply because the book is bold, bright and has silly scenes. It encourages and embraces difference in everyone with a caring message of acceptance, understanding and confidence to be different.

Its okay to be different.
:) Bobbie Jo