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Caring for children who live outside binary gender boxes

8/29/2014

 
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As we explore how to make our community more empathetic and inclusive around issues of gender, here are some books in the MCDS LRC that will help us understand how we can affirm the gender health of all of our children. 


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Dr. Diane Ehrensaft's Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children, offers a framework for helping each child become his or her own "true gender self."  She offers teachers and parents guidance for living and working with children who bend the "rules" of gender.  She explains that "As long as gender continues to be a defining feature of identity in our culture, every single one of our sons and daughters, whether conforming or not, will need to spin his or her unique gender web."

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In Beyond Magenta Transgender Teens Speak Out, Susan Kuklin, has written and photographed the stories of six teens and their transition.  Using family photos, portraits, and their own words, she takes us on a journey into the lives of these brave and honest young adults.

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Raising my Rainbow: adventures in raising a fabulous, gender creative son by Lori Duron
“Because of Lori's courage, there is now an answer when searching how to parent a child who is gender fluid, gender non-conforming, transgender, gay or whatever label you use.  This book is a wonderfully authentic read that will bring depth, joy and understanding to parents, extended families and anyone seeking to learn how parents can and do love gender creative children.  To acceptance!”
—Cheryl Kilodavis, author of My Princess Boy


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The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals by Stephanie Brill
A guidebook for the challenges that thousands of families face raising gender-variant children.  The information in this book will deepen your understanding of transgender children and help navigate issues with compassion and practical wisdom.

Here are a few of the many picture books that can help open a discussion with young children about gender:

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

3/15/2013

 
It's St. Patrick's Day this weekend, but do you know who St. Patrick was and how the traditions of the holiday started?
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My favorite way to celebrate the holiday is to read Irish folktales.  Brave Margaret is one of my favorites.  It takes the damsel in distress theme so common in folktales and turns it on its head.  Not content to wait at home, Margaret fights a monster to save her love.  Another great way to celebrate the holiday is to listen to some Irish music like the traditional music below.

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Ireland has a rich history, dating back to ancient times.  This can be seen in the hauntingly preserved bog bodies that can be found in its peat bogs.  Eve Bunting's new picture book, The Ballywhinney Girl, tells the story of a little girl and her grandfather who find a bog body in their own backyard.  

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Siobhan Dowd explores similar themes in Bog Child for a teenage audience.  This book, set during The Troubles, tells the story of a boy who discovers a body in a peat bog and an archaeologist who comes to investigate it.  It looks at Irish history from multiple perspectives to create an engaging story.


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For those who want to learn more about bog bodies and other types of mummies, we have several nonfiction books on the subject.  You can also find a lot of information online.  National Geographic has an article on two bog bodies found in Ireland in 2003.  Archaeology.org has many articles on bog bodies for those interested including one on the poetry to be found in them. It highlights the poems of Seamus Heaney, an Irish Nobel Laureate who has written poems on the subject including "The Tollund Man,"  "Bogland," and "The Grauballe Man."  

Happy Birthday Harriet Tubman!

3/8/2013

 
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March is women's history month and this weekend, March 10th, is Harriet Tubman's birthday.  Harriet Tubman is perhaps best known as a conductor of the underground railroad, where she led over 300 enslaved people to freedom without losing a single person.  She was also involved in the Civil War.  She was a nurse, a cook, and a spy for the Union.  Through her work as a spy, she became the first woman to lead a military expedition in American History.  If you'd like to celebrate women's history month or this courageous woman's birthday, you can find more information in the resources below.  

Book Resources

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This nonfiction chapter book is full of fascinating information about Harriet Tubman's life, focusing on her time as a Union Spy.  Well-researched and containing information and pictures from primary sources, this book will satisfy fans of history, biography, and spy adventures.  Read the book to find out how slave songs were used to pass secret messages, how spy rings provided the Union with intelligence, and how various spying techniques worked from ciphers to drops. Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent by Thomas B. Allen

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This biography covers Harriet's life from birth to death.  The large text and black-and-white illustrations throughout make the format friendly for younger readers.  Separate, topical pages throughout provide additional context to help better understand Harriet's life and the time she lived in.  Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Nancy Harrison

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This nonfiction picture book follows the lives of Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth and the parallels and eventual intersection of their lives.  A quilt motif is contained in the narrative which is echoed in the illustrations that show words and pictures as being stitched together.  When Harriet Met Sojourner by Catherine Clinton, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

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This atmospheric picture book describes Harriet's escape from slavery and her spiritual journey as she was called to work on the Underground Railroad.  Kadir Nelson's gorgeous artwork sets the tone for each part of the story and immerses the reader in the setting.  Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

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An Apple for Harriet Tubman tells a story from Harriet Tubman's great-niece about Harriet's love of apples and how they came to represent freedom for her.  An Apple for Harriet Tubman by Glennette Tilley Turner, illustrated by Susan Keeter

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This biography collection from the award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney describes the lives and courageous actions of women like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Rosa Parks and how they stood up in the face of oppression and prejudice to fight for equality and freedom. Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn 

Database Resources

MCDS subscribes to several online databases. Ask or e-mail Tessa or Erica if you need the login information.  
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Chelsea House Biographies online has a detailed biography about Harriet Tubman (and many others) including a timeline, photographs, and articles on related topics such as quilt codes and slave spirituals.  

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You can access Discovery Streaming through ed1stop.  It contains many videos and clips about Harriet Tubman, life in her era, and the underground railroad.  You can search by grade level to find a whole video or a clip to show to a class or for students to view at home.  

Online Resources

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Portrait by H.B. Lindsley
  • Scholastic has a web hunt that will takes students to different websites to find out more information about Harriet Tubman.
  • The Library of Congress has a web guide for adults with links to resources from historic documents to photographs.  It also has a page about Harriet Tubman for kids.
  • National Geographic Kids has a page with information about Harriet Tubman's time as a Union spy.
  • Awesome Stories has an article about the Underground Railroad with information from various primary sources

Martin Luther King, Jr. and the legacy of kindness

1/25/2013

 
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
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Henry James

Thinking about efforts towards social justice, peace and what we can do to shift society, let's explore the idea of giving of ourselves, our time, talent, listening skills, to help someone else. The idea of a gift economy where we give without expecting something back helps connect us to each other and the world.  Here are some books that explore the concept of kindness.
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Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
When Mrs. Higgins sees Amelia's smile, she smiles too and sends her grandson, Lionel who lives in Mexico, some homemade cookies setting off a chain of events. Smiles, good feelings, kindness and love travel across the world.

This quote inspired the book--"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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"This beautiful and powerful illustrated edition brings my father's inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us--those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone."  Dr. Bernice A. King
Two time Caldecott honor winner Kadir Nelson has created magnificent and moving paintings that have  immediacy and the power to inspire awe.

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Each kindness makes the world a little better

Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Maya is different--she wears hand-me-downs and plays with old-fashioned toys. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her gang, they reject her. Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she'd shown a little kindness toward Maya.
Publisher's description
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

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In Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson, Mary starts a chain reaction of good deeds in a way similar to Amelia and her smile. Each five people inspired to help others by her deed multiply until 6,103,515,625 people are touched.

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Minna has a class assignment to do something kind and make a picture of it.  After observing many acts of kindness she makes a quilt with all of them on it.  When the class sees it, they want to take all their pictures and make them into a quilt.
The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.

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Have you Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud.  An invisible bucket that everyone carries  can be full or empty. Full buckets are happy making and empty ones make us sad.  We need people to fill our bucket and others need us to fill theirs. Kindness, compassion, love and caring are fillers. Being mean, exclusive, and insensitive can empty the bucket of others as well as your own. Filling someone's bucket can fill your own too. Some of the third grade teachers have a bucket "system" in their rooms.

Holiday Book and Movie pairings

12/19/2012

 
The holiday season is a time for giving, for reconnecting with loved ones, and celebrating traditions.  For many people it is also a time for going to see the blockbuster movies that come out this season.  Looking over this month's offerings I was surprised to see how many book-related movies there are.  If you'd like to extend your viewing experience, considering cuddling up with one of these books this break:
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The movie is only the beginning of a trilogy.  If you want some closure, finish the story by reading the book.  We also have other books by Tolkien and books about Middle Earth at the library to continue the adventure. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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This series imagines an alternate world that can be reached by the use of a magical atlas.  The main characters are young J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and J.M. Barrie.  Many of the events they witness in this magical land inspire the stories they write, so you'll see a lot of common threads with The Hobbit.  It's fun to read about young, fictionalized versions of these famous authors adventuring together.
Here There Be Dragons by James Owen  


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If you like the movie, try reading the books that inspired it.  We have the Guardians books and many more by William Joyce at the library.  Nicholas St. North by William Joyce.

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Set in Norway, this novel is another tale of snowy adventure. But instead of following legendary childhood characters, it brings to life characters from Norse mythology.  Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman


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This unique biography for young readers examines not only the hardships Lincoln faced, but the sense of humour he used to get through them.  Ample amusing quotes from Lincoln are peppered throughout.  Lincoln Tells a Joke by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer; illus by Stacy Innerst

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This picture book biography focuses on Lincoln's youth and his love of books and reading.  It's a great book if you want to share your interest in Lincoln with a child.  Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters; illus by Nancy Carpenter


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This series by Charlie Higson follows a young James Bond as he attends boarding school.  They have all the mystery and adventure you expect from James Bond, but are aimed at a younger audience.  SilverFin by Charlie Higson

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This spy thriller set during WWII follows a Norwegian boy who joins the resistance.  This story, based on the life of Erling Storrusten, will leave you on the edge of your seat.  Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus


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 For those who don't feel quite ready to read the original novel by Victor Hugo, this story combines the modern and historical to keep readers engaged.  Alternating between  a modern day teenager and the a girl alive during the French revolution, this story will appeal to fans of modern and historical drama.  Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

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For those who are interested in later French history, this series of graphic novels follows two siblings and the part they play in the French Resistance during WWII.  Resistance by Carla Jablonski, illus by Leland Purvis

Creativity and Innovation

5/17/2012

 
"The most important developments in civilization have come through the creative process, but ironically, most people have not been taught to be creative." 
Robert Fritz, The Path of Least Resistance, 1994

These books are available in the LRC to spark your creative thinking this summer.
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Steal Like an Artist: 10 things nobody told you about being creative by Austin Kleon is a fun book.  It is full of quotes that will make you think.
"Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic."     Jim Jarmusch.

The ten transformative principles will help your build a more creative life.

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In Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius by Michale Michalko, the author  examines in each chapter a different creative thinking strategy. This is a very readable book; just reading the introduction in which he summarizes the eight strategies will get your creative juices flowing.

Check out the exercises and thought experiments on his website:
http://creativethinking.net/WP01_Home.htm



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IMAGINE : How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer
"Flummoxed by an intractable problem? You probably just need to work harder, right? Actually, try taking a walk instead. Thanks to how we’re hardwired, insight tends to strike suddenly—after we’ve stopped looking. In this entertaining Gladwell-esque plunge into the science of creativity, Jonah Lehrer mingles with a wide cast of characters—inventors, educators, scientists, a Pixar co-founder, an autistic surfing savant—to deconstruct how we accomplish our great feats of imagination. Notable themes emerge: Failure is necessary. The more people you casually rub shoulders with—on and off the job—the more good ideas you’ll have. And societies that unduly restrict citizens’ ability to borrow from the ideas of others—see our broken patent system—do so at their peril."
--Mother Jones

Watch Mr. Lehrer explain his thinking here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1VE0QH1OLIYEA/ref=ent_fb_link

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Although the author of Manager's Guide to Fostering Innovations and Creativity in Teams comes from a corporate culture, Charles Prather gives helpful advice to anyone interested in implementing innovation.  Key points are how to create an environment that gets people thinking creatively, how to align teams to work toward creative solutions, and how to build a self-sustaining culture of innovation.

The Avengers' Summer Reading List

5/14/2012

 
(Inspired by the article by Maria Kramer at http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2012/05/08/the-avengers-reading-list/)

Black Widow 

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Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Natasha would empathize with Katsa, the main character of this book who is born with a killing Grace.  She works as the king’s enforcer doing all his dirty jobs before going rogue to fight for a cause that she thinks is right.

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Moribito by Nahoko Uehashi
If Natasha was born in another time and place, she might have ended up like Balsa, the warrior woman at the heart of this story.  Like Natasha, Balsa must fight enemies natural and supernatural to save the world.    

Captain America

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Nick of Time by Ted Bell
Steve Rogers would appreciate Nick’s patriotism and courage in fighting for his country—even though that country is England.  Thanks to time travel Nick fights  two of his countries greatest enemies: the Nazis and Napoleon’s army

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Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
  Rogers would enjoy this tale of adventure and bravery from World War I.  Westerfeld imagines an alternate universe where machine-obsessed Clankers and gene-splicing Darwinists create complex creatures and machines to defend what they think is the best way of life.

Hawkeye

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Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan
Reading about Will as he trains to be a ranger and learns the arts of stealth and archery will make it easy for Hawkeye to relate to him while the fantasy setting will allow him to escape his own hard life for a bit.  

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Outlaw by Stephen Davies
  Hawkeye will be intrigued by this story of a modern-day Robin Hood.  As someone who has changed sides himself, he will appreciate the story of an outlaw fighting for justice and enjoy the high-tech gadgetry in the story.


The Hulk

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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Adapted by Lloyd S. Wagner Illustrated by Naresh Kumar
Bruce Banner would be able to empathize with both Dr. Frankenstein, the scientist whose experiment goes awry, and the monster it creates who is feared and shunned by society.

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Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
This modern version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will appeal to Bruce because of its exploration of science experiments gone wrong.  Bruce will sympathize with Jekel as she tries to control the violent impulses brought on by her experiments.


Iron Man

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Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
Tony Stark could easily identify with the young genius at the heart of this story who learns how to wield technology as he struggles to come to terms with the legacy of his father.  

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Brain Jack by Brian Falkner
Stark would feel completely at home with the technology in this sci-fi thriller.  In this dystopia all it takes is a special headset to connect your mind directly to the internet but when computer hacker Sam discovers the possible repercussions it’s up to him to save the world.  


Thor

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Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
Thor would appreciate the epic scale of this story and relate to Finnikin’s struggles against an imposter to the throne. Much like Thor, Finnikin has a great destiny and he must fight on, despite betrayals, to fulfill it.

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Snakehead by Ann Halam
As the son of another man considered to be a god, Thor would relate to Perseus.  His tale of adventure and bravery would appeal to Thor as well.  Thor might enjoy learning more about another mythology.

Nick Fury

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Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
With his CIA background, Nick Fury might enjoy this story of a teenage spy.  This novel, packed full of action and adventure, will allow him to watch as deadly events unfold without having to worry about them himself for once.  

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The Shadow Project by Herbie Brennan
Much like S.H.I.E.L.D., the Shadow Project is a secret government organization that takes teens with special powers and sends them on missions all over the world to protect humanity. 

J.A.R.V.I.S.

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Skinned by Robin Wasserman
When Lia gets in an accident her consciousness is downloaded into a new  robot body to save her life.  But as her friends all begin to flinch at her touch and the ‘lifers’ rail on that people like her are an abomination she begins to wonder if it was worth it.  If J.A.R.V.I.S. is as intelligent as he seems he might find inspiration in this novel. 

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Spacer and Rat by Margaret Bechard
  J.A.R.V.I.S. might enjoy this story of a robot named Waldo with an illegal level of intelligence and sentience.  Waldo and his human companions must stay one step ahead of the law if he wants to survive.  

Loki

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Runemarks by Joanne Harris
Loki would enjoy the chaos in this post-apocalyptic adventure that takes place in a realm that should be familiar to him: Norse mythology.  The fact that Loki himself makes an appearance in the novel will please his ego as well.  

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Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby
Loki will feel at home in the icy setting of this novel and he will enjoy reading about the betrayal of royal children.  This cold, dark novel would suit Loki perfectly.

Tuskegee Airmen Resources

2/9/2012

 
The Tuskegee Airmen have been in the news lately with the release of the movie Red Tails.  The story of the Tuskegee Airmen is a truly inspiring one that deserves to be shared.  Not only did they combat the prejudices of the era by shooting down enemy planes, proving that African-Americans could fly in combat missions for the Army Air Corps, they also saved thousands of lives with their escort missions.  They earned the nickname “Red Tailed Angels” because of their discipline and commitment to protect the planes they were escorting instead of peeling away to look for individual glory.  If you’re looking for more information about these heroes or you’d like something appropriate for young children, try the library resources below.
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Wind Flyers by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Loren Long.  This colorful picture book tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen with beautiful illustrations and lyrical language.  It’s a perfect choice for sharing the story of these heroes with young children.


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The Tuskegee Airmen Story by Lynn M. Homan and Thomas Reilly Homan, illustrated by Rosalie M. Shepherd.  This picture book contains more information on the history of Tuskegee program including the women who worked at the station and non-pilot members of the group such as mechanics.  


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Red-Tail Angels by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack.  This non-fiction book contains chapters full of detailed information and pictures of the Tuskegee Airmen for older students interested in their story.


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Flying Free: America’s First Black Aviators by Philip S. Hart.  This book provides context with chapters for Bessie Coleman, William J. Powell, James Herman Banning, Hubert Fauntleroy Julian, and The Chicago Flyers in addition to the Tuskegee Airmen.


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The site Awesome Stories also has a great article by Carole D. Bos on The Tuskegee Airmen that includes many links to primary source information and a description of the challenges the Tuskegee Airmen faced and their accomplishments.  You can access it at http://www.awesomestories.com/flicks/red-tails


For more resources on African American history, look at the books on display this month throughout the LRC.  

Erica's Winter Picks

1/13/2012

 
These are my favorites of the books that I read in the fall.  Stop by the LRC to check them out!
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Cal #: F Ursu
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu (4th grade and up)
Hazel and Jack were best friends until one snowy day in winter.  "It was the sort of snowfall that, if there were any magic to be had in the world, would make it come out. And magic did come out.  But not the kind you were expecting."  Suddenly Jack starts acting strange and stops being friends with Hazel.  Her mother says that these things happen sometimes and to make new friends, but Hazel knows that something is wrong.  Then one day, Jack disappears entirely and no one even seems to notice.  Hazel has read about this sort of thing in books, she knows what to do and may be the only one who can save Jack, so what choice does she have?  She packs her supplies and sets off into the icy heart of winter.

This re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" makes the perfect winter reading.  For more information, including an discussion guide, reviews, and a sample chapter, visit the author's website: http://www.anneursu.com/books/bk_breadcrumbs.html



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The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy (5th grade & up)
Before Joan moved to California she only read stories.  After she moved to California, Joan began to live them.  It all started when she was exploring in the woods near her house and she found what looked like a troll's living room.  It turned out that it belonged to a girl named Sarah who called herself the Queen of Foxes.  Joan soon became newt in turn and newt and fox explored secret grottoes, defended their fort from invaders, and hid in the woods.  Their real life mixed with a fantasy life and they turned their story in to a writing competition.  But eventually they had to return to reality, and the cold hard truths they could not avoid.

This novel captures the feel of long days and warm nights spent playing outside for those who would rather escape to the warm summer months this winter.  This novel, set in the early 70's has a lot of local color and the wild girls make several trips to Berkeley.  This book doubles as a guide to writing for those who would like to write their own stories.  Read more at the author's website: http://www.brazenhussies.net/murphy/Index-WildGirls.html
 

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Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (6th grade & up)
"Akata Witch!" Sunny was used to the taunt, but that didn't make it sting any less. As an albino who spent the first nine years of her life in America, Sunny was used to not fitting in with her Nigerian classmates, but she had no idea how different she was until she saw the end of the world in a candle's flame and discovered  that she really did have magical powers.  In Nigeria, those with magical abilities are called Leopard People and at first Sunny doesn't know what to make of their world.  Among Leopard People what sets you apart is what gives you strength and because Sunny is so different she is also very powerful.  At first her abilities and the new world they show her are thrilling, but before long she realizes that with her powers come a price and for every benefit the Leopard People have to offer there is a hidden danger lurking as well.

This imaginative novel mixes the modern and the ancient into a fantasy unlike any I've ever read before.  In the world Okorafor creates what makes you different is what gives you power and you earn money through learning--making the head librarian one of the most powerful people in town.  Now that's some world-building I can get behind!  The novel is best summed up by the sentence "Sunny couldn't stop grinning. Life was getting weirder and weirder.  But this weirdness she really  liked."  Read more at the author's site: http://nnedi.com/sunny.html
 

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Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt (6th grade & up)
Doug Swieteck once played catch with Joe Pepitone of the New York Yankees and he gave him his signed baseball cap.  It was the first thing Doug ever owned that didn't belong to another Swieteck before him, and like most good things, it didn't last.  His brother took his cap and his father lost his temper and his job and now they have to move to stupid Marysville where everyone looks at him like he doesn't belong.  But Marysville isn't all bad.  There's Lil Spicer who can burp louder than anyone he's ever heard, and the library has these Audubon prints on display with birds that look like they're about to fly off the page.  But the town needs money and the prints are being sold off and just when his life starts going okay things get messed up again.  Still, maybe Doug can put the prints back in the book where they belong and pick up the pieces of his own life.  His science teacher says that man is about to walk on the moon--if that's possible then who knows what other impossible things may come true. 

Things start off bad for Doug Swieteck, and then they get worse.  Doug's mood and his life are a perfect match for the dark winter months, but just when things look bleakest in Doug's life, a light begins to shine again reminding him, and the reader, that happiness and springtime are not lost forever and will soon return.  Read more at the author's website: http://www.hmhbooks.com/schmidt/
 

Recent Witch Books

10/19/2011

 
With Halloween around the corner I find myself drawn to books on witches.  Here are a few new books on the subject that I've read and enjoyed recently:
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Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (YA F Okorafor)
"Akata Witch!" Sunny was used to the taunt, but that didn't make it sting any less. As an albino who spent the first nine years of her life in America, Sunny was used to not fitting in with her Nigerian classmates, but she had no idea how different she was until she saw the end of the world in a candle's flame and discovered  that she really did have magical powers.  In Nigeria, those with magical abilities are called Leopard People and at first Sunny doesn't know what to make of their world.  Among Leopard People what sets you apart is what gives you strength and because Sunny is so different she is also very powerful.  At first her abilities and the new world they show her are thrilling, but before long she realizes that with her powers come a price and for every benefit the Leopard People have to offer there is a hidden danger.

I loved the world of magic that Okorafor creates in this novel where money is earned through knowledge and the librarian is one of the most powerful witches in town.  Imaginative touches such as a wasp artist that stings you if you do not praise its work enough surprised and delighted me. 

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Reckless by Cornelia Funke (YA F Funke)
Of the two Reckless brothers, Jacob was always the one who lived up to the family name.  Ever since he discovered the world behind the mirror he's made Reckless into his job description as he travels the fairy-tale world hunting for treasures.  A comb that turns you into a crow will fetch a high price, if you can escape the witch that  it belongs to and live to collect your reward.  Will never knew about the world his brother disappeared to, until one day when Will discovers his secret and follows him in, only to fall victim to a fairy's curse that is slowly turning him to stone.  Now the clock is ticking and Jacob will have to use everything he's learned in his travels if he wants to save Will.  He never imagined that his own brother's life would end up being the most dangerous treasure he's ever sought.

I have always been a fan of new twists on classic fairy tales and this dark fairy tale world is a perfect setting to loose yourself in on Halloween. 

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Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer (133.4 SC)
In the winter of 1692 two girls began to twitch and choke and twist their bodies into odd configurations on the floor as snow piled high outside their home.  Their parents tried every remedy, but the symptoms prevailed.  When a doctor was finally called to examine them his diagnosis was that the girls were bewitched.  The original cause of the girls’ symptoms remains unknown to this day.  What is known is that the girls’ strange behavior set off a case of witch-hunt fever that would turn neighbors against each other and result in the loss of innocent lives and ruin many others.    The Salem Witch Trials are an iconic chapter of American history and its name has been evoked in modern times to point out our folly when suspicions cause us to turn against each other.  But what really happened in Salem in 1692?  Will we ever be able to learn the lessons this dark period of history has to teach us, or will we be forever doomed to repeat it?

This serves as a sobering reminder of what happened to some of the men and women who were accused of being witches. Shanzer takes the facts and presents them clearly and concisely.  The woodcut illustrations in black, white, and red are superb and depict the grizzly, imaginative scenes described well.

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Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGhee (E MCG)
A girl comes home from trick-or-treating on Halloween and decides, she will fly.  After a couple of failed attempts she finally takes off into the sky. 

This picture book, written in the form of a sestina, address the reader directly to involve them in this charming flight of the imagination.  The linoleum block illustrations and limited color palate add a distinctive look to the story and complement the sparse text perfectly.

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