Review: We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson



We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro Baseball League by Kadir Nelson

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro Baseball League. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group. ISBN 9780786808328

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

We Are the Ship takes the reader through the history of Negro League Baseball from the perspective of an un-named narrator. Beginning with a forward from baseball legend Hark Aaron, Nelson provides a historical perspective on African Americans in baseball throughout the years until modern day. Nelson provides an Author’s Note explaining his interest and background in baseball as well as the decision to write his book using an anonymous narrator. Also included are a bibliography, filmography, endnotes, and an index for easy searching.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

“We are the ship; all else the sea” were the words spoken by Rube Foster, the founder of Negro League Baseball and the inspiration behind this survey of African American contributions to the sport. Each chapter is cleverly named after a baseball inning and begins with a quote from someone of importance to Negro League Baseball. Nelson addresses the historical beginnings of the baseball league as well as the racial difficulties faced by the ball players. He focuses much of his attention on the cultural differences between baseball played in the Negro League and the American League, such as different rules, stat keeping, payment and accommodations.

The baseball players highlighted in We Are the Ship were all real people, and Nelson is quick to notate any facts he presents in the text. There are amazing details about what life was like as an African American ball player, including new information about private time between games, because of Nelson’s numerous interviews with former members of the league. As he writes about these real experiences, he uses old-fashioned conversational language, as though he is addressing the reader like a close friend.

He doesn’t spend much time describing skin color, as it is assumed that all players in the league were African American, but a lot of time is spent describing other physical attributes that would be of importance to baseball players: height, strength, speed and skill. Rather than focusing only on African American baseball players in the United States, Nelson dedicates a chapter to the experiences of being African American and playing in Latin America.

The illustrations, also by Nelson, are incredible works of art. Painted with a stunning realism, they make the reader feel as if the figures could come to life at any moment. Each baseball player, ball field, uniform, and game is re-created as accurately and authentically as possible. Skin color, facial features and body type are as varied as the baseball players they represent. The occasional full-page illustration appears throughout the book, such as an image of a stylish Rube Foster and the Chicago American Giants stepping off a train in perfect 1920’s dress.

Overall, this is an excellent survey of baseball from a new perspective. Even non-sports fans will appreciate struggle for equality faced by these amazing ball players, highlighted by the glossy, gorgeous oil paintings. Rich in cultural details and with an enthusiasm for the topic at hand, this is an excellent read.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2009-2010

Starred review in School Library Journal: “A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players.”

Starred review in Booklist: “The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball’s history shelves.”

Starred review in Horn Book: “Nelson’s extensive research (including interviews with former players) yields loads of attention-grabbing details: how much money players made; where, when, and how often games took place; who the standout owners, managers, and players were; and so on.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This book can be used in a discussion on a general discussion of  baseball or a specific discussion of racism in baseball.

*Other books illustrated by Kadir Nelson:

Allen, Debbie. Dancing in the Wings. ISBN 9780142501412

Rappaport, Doreen. Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln. ISBN

1423104080

Shange, Ntozake. Coretta Scott. ISBN 0061253642

Shange, Ntozake. Ellington Was Not a Street. ISBN 9780689828843

Review: Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson



Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2007. Feathers. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group. ISBN 9780399239892

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

“Hope is the thing with feather

that perches in the soul,

And sings the tune-without the words,

And never stops at all.”

-Emily Dickinson

That poem sticks with Frannie, a young girl growing up in 1971 New York and a sixth grader in Ms. Johnson’s classroom. After her mother’s multiple miscarriages and her brother Sean’s deafness and subsequent difficulties, hope is hard for Frannie to find. The appearance of a new student, dubbed “Jesus Boy” by his classmates for his pale skin and long hair, shakes up Ms. Johnson’s class. Frannie and most of her classmates are African American and “Jesus Boy” is white. Frannie befriends the new boy, and must deal with criticism and teasing from Trevor, the school bully. She must also tend to her newly pregnant mother while being scared of another miscarriage, and be sensitive to her brother Sean and his desires to fit in with the hearing population. Eventually Frannie and her classmates learn that appearances aren’t everything, and Jesus Boy is a welcome addition to “their side of the highway.”

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

      Frannie is a typical young girl growing up in post Vietnam New York. She faces many of the family and friendship problems typical of any middle school child, with the addition of racial tensions. Frannie also has to deal with her brother Sean’s deafness and the reaction people have to him. The descriptions of the characters are rich in detail and contain many cultural markers familiar to African American literature. Frannie describes the difficulty of maintaining African American beauty standards by her mother’s attempt to straighten her hair, which is usually in braids or an Afro, and the smell of her grandmother’s coconut hair grease. She also describes the differences in her darker skin color in comparison to her brother and mother’s lighter complexions. Sean is described as handsome, but girls are not interested in him because he can’t hear. Woodson emphasizes the differences between Frannie and her wealthier classmate Maribel, who does not get free lunch like the other students.

      Food is used in Feathers both in a celebratory was and as a sign of status and wealth. Frannie and her brother know their mother is recovering from her exhaustion during pregnancy when she begins making fried chicken for the family. At the house of Frannie’s friend, chicken is not available for dinner when money is tight, a circumstance remarked on by Frannie to the family’s embarrassment.

      Language is used in an interesting way in Feathers, because not only is this a young adult novel with African American protagonists, but it is also a historical novel based ion the 1970’s. Frannie uses many slang terms such as “cat” for person, which she describes as “jive talk.” Frannie’s environment is described as generally happy and loving. She and her brother listen to Jackson 5 records in their home, as Sean attempts to teach her dancing skills. Woodson addresses religion, and the hopefulness people can feel once they leave church.

     

      Jacqueline Woodson takes an interesting approach in Feathers that focuses on a predominantly African American school, and how the students react towards a new student who is white. Trevor, the class bully, has an African American mother and a white father that lives “across the highway.” The introduction of a white student from across the highway angers Trevor, and causes him to bully the new student and Frannie, who comes to the student’s rescue. Happily, Woodson avoids raising the issue of inter-racial dating relating to Frannie’s blossoming friendship with Jesus Boy, instead approaching the scenario as normally as any middle school flirtation should be approached.

      Despite heavy themes such as racism, disabilities, religion, bullying, miscarriages, and self-esteem, Feathers emphasizes that there is always hope even in the darkest days.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newbery Honor Award

Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “She raises important questions about God, racial segregation and issues surrounding the hearing-impaired with a light and thoughtful touch.”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “With her usual talent for creating characters who confront, reflect, and grow into their own persons, Woodson creates in Frannie a strong protagonist who thinks for herself and recognizes the value and meaning of family.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This young adult novel can be used in a variety of ways: in a discussion regarding race, deafness, hope, religion, etc.

* Teacher’s Guides to Jacqueline Woodson’s books: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/images/yr/pdf/tl-guide-jacquelinewood.pdf

*Other books by Jacqueline Woodson:
Locomotion. ISBN 9780142415528
Peace, Locomotion. ISBN 9780142415122
After Tupac and D Foster. ISBN 9780142413999
Beneath a Meth Moon. ISBN 9780399252501
Hush. ISBN 9780142415511

Review: Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack



Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

McKissack, Patricia C. 2001. Goin’ Someplace Special. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. ISBN 9780689818851

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

‘Tricia Ann is anxious to go to Someplace Special, and asks her grandmother Mama Frances for permission to go alone. As a young African American girl in Jim Crow era Nashville, Tennessee, ‘Tricia Ann faces many obstacles as she makes her way to Someplace Special. Her first step it to take the bus through town, however she is forced to sit behind the “Colored Section” sign. Once ‘Tricia Ann reaches Peace Fountain, she attempts to sit on a nearby bench but is not allowed because written on the bench is the notice “For Whites Only.” Angry that she can’t sit and enjoy a fountain her grandfather helped to build, she goes to talk to her friend Jimmy Lee, a pretzel seller. ‘Tricia Ann passes by hotel doorman Mr. John Willis, but as she is speaking to him she is swept by a crowd into the hotel. She is then thrown out of the hotel by the manager who shouts “No colored people are allowed!” ‘Tricia Ann is embarrassed and upset by the treatment she has received and as she is about to give up and go home she is comforted by Blooming Mary, who tends the gardens at the Mission Church ruins. Passing by the movie theater, where African Americans had to enter through a side door rather than the front, ‘Tricia Ann finally reaches Someplace Special where everyone is welcome and all are treated equally: The public library!

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Based on the author’s memories of growing up in 1950’s segregated Nashville, Tennessee, Goin’ Someplace Special encompasses much of what the daily life of an average African American child would have been like. Themes of racism, segregation and the unfairness of Jim Crow laws permeate every page. However, despite the negative themes, strength and the promise of equality are also shown in McKissack’s text. Something as simple as a trip to the library becomes an exhausting and humiliating experience.

Despite the somber tone throughout most of the book, McKissack includes lines of hope on almost every page. ‘Tricia Ann is reminded by her grandmother to “Hold yo’ head up and act like you b’long to somebody” and Jimmy Lee reminds her “Don’t let those signs steal yo’ happiness.” The language is old fashioned, with a Southern inflection representing the dialect one would hear in Nashville, Tennessee. The names of the characters are distinctly southern and old fashioned, matching both the time period and the setting perfectly.

There is a bit of stereotyping of non African American’s in this book. Every white person ‘Tricia Ann comes across is unkind or racist, except for Blooming Mary, the caretaker of the gardens. It would have been nice to see more variety of characters rather than having most characters of one race acting kind while most of another race are unkind. At times, the plot seems to be unbelievable, with ‘Tricia Ann running into problems at nearly every turn and encountering horribly racism from nearly every character who was not African American.

Rather than being a stereotype, ‘Tricia Ann shows great strength and bravery to be willing to navigate through many racial barriers on the way to the library. Along the way, she remains respectful, but questions the fairness of Jim Crow laws segregation African Americans from everyone else. Patricia C. McKissack includes an Author’s Note at the end of her book, explaining her background and experience growing up as ‘Tricia Ann did in 1950’s Nashville.

Jerry Pinkney has created bright, glowing watercolor paintings to accompany McKissack’s story of ‘Tricia Ann’s journey to the library. Every detail is authentic to a southern town in the 1950’s, from the clothes to the cars, the buildings and the street signs. The use of watercolors gives the pictures a soft, warm glow and Pinkney dresses ‘Tricia Ann in bright, happy colors that make her stand out from the softer background colors. Rather then illustrating every African American character in a similar fashion, Pinkney is careful to show the variations of skin tones, hairstyles, and facial features within the race. Each illustration has a double page spread to accompany McKissack’s text. The most impressive aspects of Pinkney’s illustrations are the expressions seen on ‘Tricia Ann’s face as she makes her way through town, especially the final illustration. ‘Tricia Ann’s face glows with happiness as she sees the “Public Library: All Are Welcome” sign.


4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
ALA Notable Children’s Books
Coretta Scott King Award Winner: Illustration
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2003-2004

Positive review in Publisher’s Weekly: “By putting such a personal face on segregation she makes its injustices painfully real for her audience. Pinkney's luminescent watercolors evoke the '50s, from fashions to finned cars, and he captures every ounce of 'Tricia Ann's eagerness, humiliation and quiet triumph at the end.”

Starred review in Booklist: “This book carries a strong message of pride and self-confidence as well as a pointed history lesson. It is also a beautiful tribute to the libraries that were ahead of their time.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Use this picture book when discussing the Civil Rights movement and Jim Crow laws. Put yourself in ‘Tricia Ann’s shoes. How would you feel in her situation, being discriminated against?

* Classroom Activities to be used when reading Goin’ Someplace Special: http://treasures.macmillanmh.com/california/students/grade5/book1/unit1/goin-someplace-special

*Children’s books with African American characters:

Giovanni, Nikki. Rosa. ISBN 0805071067

Steptoe, John. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. ISBN 97806880404

Woodson, Jacqueline. The Other Side. ISBN 9780399231162

Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Something Beautiful. ISBN 9780440412106

Review: The Shadows of Ghadames by Joelle Stolz

The Shadows of Ghadames by Joëlle Stolz

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stolz, Joëlle. 2004. The Shadows of Ghadames.  Trans. by Catherine Temerson. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0385731043

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Malika is 12 years old and living in Ghadames, a city in Libya. As a young Muslim girl almost at marriageable age, she is not allowed to leave her home except for special occasions, and must be satisfied with staying home. Malika’s greatest wish is to learn to read like her brother and travel to far away places like her father. The women of Ghadames live their lives and entertain one another on their roofs high above the city. After Malika’s father leaves to sell his goods in far away cities, Malika, her mother, and her mother’s second wife take in a man who had been injured on the street. As they nurse him back to health in secrecy, Abdelkarim grants Malika her fondest wish, and teaches her to read.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Despite cultural differences, Malika appears to be a typical 12 year old girl. She has great respect for her mother and father, and fights good naturedly with her half brother Jasim. Stolz fills the pages of her novel with cultural markers specific to a Muslim household. Malika’s mother Meriem is described as having fairly light skin, and is a strict follower of the rules binding Muslim women of the time period. She has not left her home except to go to the baths since her marriage and expects Malika to behave in the same way. Meriem does not approve of allowing Abdelkarim to stay as he recovers from his attack, and has to be persuaded to allow him to teach Malika to read Arabic. Bilkisu, the “wife from the journey” is described as having darker skin and a more relaxed way of interacting with others.

Rituals and religious practices are described in great detail and with great importance by the author. An oil lamp is moved to indicate the man of the house, Malika’s father, has gone on his trip. This lets all the neighboring homes know that men should not come to visit because the women are alone in the home. On the way to the women’s baths, the women must stand in recessed areas of the street when a man is coming, to avoid contact with him. Malika, her mother, and Bilkisu attend one of many night ceremonies which are women only, and are one of the only times they are allowed to freely leave the city without the accompaniment of a male relative. The women engage in the “women’s market” that takes place on the rooftops with women selling their items and engaging in gossip while relaxing their way of dressing because men are not in attendance. Stolz describes the way women let their veils drop, ankles and legs show, and don’t bother to hide their numerous blue tattoos.

The descriptions of the dark and mazelike Ghadames streets make the reader feel as though they were inside the story. Although the setting is described brilliantly, Stolz does not describe the time period in which this story takes place until the Author’s Note. This novel is slim, but is filled with extensive details about Muslim life in the 19^th century. Any reader should be able to sympathize with the theme of The Shadows of Ghadames. How can someone remain respectful and true to their beliefs, but still be allowed to follow their dreams?

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2005 Batchelder Award Winner

Starred review in Booklist: “The vivid backdrop is intoxicating, but the story's universal concerns will touch readers most: sibling jealously, confusion about adult customs, and a growing interest in a world beyond family.”

Review in School Library Journal: “The imprecise use of language may make it difficult for readers to visualize this distant world and to understand the characters' motivations. Still, this novel would be useful in schools studying this part of the world.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This book would be useful in a discussion on the differences between growing up in Libya versus America.

*Other books about young girls from Middle Eastern countries:
Naidoo, Beverly. The Other Side of Truth. ISBN 9780064410021
Nye, Naomi  Shihab. Habibi. ISBN 9780689825231
Staples, Suzanne Fisher. Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind. ISBN 9780440238560
Staples, Suzanne Fisher. Haveli. ISBN 9780679865698

Review: Hello Baby! by Mem Fox

Hello Baby! by Mem Fox

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, Mem. 2009. Hello Baby!. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN 9781416985136

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Hello Baby! is a picture book exploring babies of various wild animals as the narrator asks the reader what kind of baby he/she is. The picture book continues with illustrations of animals and questions such as “Are you a monkey with clever toes?” Each animal is given a double page, brightly colored illustration. The book opens with an illustration of a child’s hand and closes with the hands of a parent and child reaching for one another.   

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mem Fox uses simply rhymes that are easily understood by young children. This book can be an interactive experience when reading to an audience. Lines such as “Are you a lion with dust on its paws?” and “Are you a monkey with clever toes?” invite enthusiastic responses. No specific cultural makers exist in the text or any of the illustrations. There are no indications as to the gender, country of origin, language, or other characteristics of the parent and baby indicated in the text, with only the briefest of illustrations to indicate race. Without knowing the author’s background, the setting and origin of these exotic animals would remain a mystery. However, Fox, currently residing in Australia, indicates in her personal website that Hello Baby! is based on her childhood growing up in Africa.

Steve Jenkins contributes his signature realistic construction paper animals that bring life to Fox’s writing. The brilliantly colored animals jump off the page, and feel as though they are interacting with the reader. Jenkins adds another nice touch, by including a full silhouette of every animal placed near the text. The details provided by Jenkins are striking, and although they may not be noticed by very young children, adults are sure to be impressed with his artistic abilities. For example, the eyes of each animal are incredibly lifelike, and they look as though they are staring straight at the reader. Somehow Jenkins manipulates construction paper to create the delicate feathers of an eagle and sharp quills of a porcupine with remarkable skill.

The only issue regarding illustrations would be the lack of backgrounds and details about the general environment of the animals. It is understandable that Jenkins wanted to keep the focus on the animals, but I believe children would be curious as to where the animals are located. There is no way to know if they are in a zoo, in America or another country, or in various other locations.

Hello Baby! is a small, easy to follow picture book that may be too simplistic for older kids, but would be a big hit with babies, toddlers or preschoolers. The generic reference to the “baby” in the text allows any child to put himself/herself in the position of being the “treasure”.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Like her Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Fox's newest has all the marks of a lap-sit classic.”

Starred review in Kirkus: “This picture book brims with fascinating animals, brilliant words and engaging artwork; it begs for cozy nightly readings.”

Positive review in Booklist: “As in her best-selling title Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes (2008), a Booklist Editors’ Choice selection, Fox creates an affectionate, singsong picture book directed straight at small children.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Use this picture book in a baby storytime or animal storytime. Engage children in responses to each page.

* Author Mem Fox reads aloud many of her children’s books: http://www.memfox.net/mem-reads-aloud

* Mem Fox’s Hello Baby! webpage with additional information on the inspiration behind the book.

*A small selection of children’s books by Mem Fox:
Koala Lou. ISBN 9780786819881
Wombat Divine. ISBN 9780152020965
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. ISBN 9780152060572
Whoever You Are. ISBN 9780152164065
Possum Magic. ISBN 9781862910959

Review: I Am Different! Can You Find Me? by Manjula Padmanabhan

I Am Different! Can You Find Me? by Manjula Padmanabhan

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Padmanabhan, Manjula. 2011. I Am Different! Can You Find Me? Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. ISBN 9781570916397

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

I Am Different! is a children’s picture book created to show kids how interesting and fun learning about new cultures can be. Each page focuses on a different language from somewhere in the world, and highlights the phrase “Can you find me?” in that language. The phonetic pronunciation is included for each language to help readers speak the words properly. Each page also has a brief paragraph explaining more details about how widely the language is spoken and additional words from that language. The accompanying illustrations include a group of images, flowers, cars, ladders, etc., and ask the reader to find which object is different from the others on the page.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Padmanabhan has created a children’s book that is not only brimming with positivity and excitement but also includes fun puzzles guaranteed to interest young readers. The inclusion of a brief essay regarding languages around the world showcases Padmanabhan’s purpose for creating this book. She stresses the importance of not only noticing the differences in languages but also the similarities. The author includes well know languages like English, Chinese, and Italian, as well as dedicating pages to lesser known languages like Cree, Hawaiian, and Nahuatl. My favorite language showcased is American Sign Language, complete with pictures and instructions for the creation of the signs.

The text does not refer to physical descriptions, but emphasizes the importance of each language and the geographic locations of where the language is spoken. Occasionally Padmanabhan will include facts relating to the importance of the language. When referring to Navajo, Padmanabhan describes how that language was used to help create a code used in World War II. She makes each language appear unique and special, encourage her readers to learn more about languages spoken around the world.

The illustrations, also by Padmanabhan, showcase her background in cartooning and illustration for children. The illustrations are simply done with bright colors and pleasing shapes. There is one object on each page that is different from the others, and the author provides a key at the end of the book indicating the correct answer. However, she is quick to point out that there may be more than one correct answer and encourages her readers to let her know if other differences were found. Most of the illustrations are objects rather than human images. The Hawaiian language and American Sign Language are the only 2 instances in the book which have representations of someone who might speak that language. Cartoon versions of young Hawaiian girl’s faces, with dark skin and dark hair, are prominently displayed on the Hawaiian page. The American Sign Language page has photographs of a young, presumably American boy making the signs for “Can you find me”. Other than those 2 examples, it isn’t clear whether or not Padmanabhan tried to match her illustrations to the subject language or if they were chosen at random. The illustrations are clear enough that children of any age should be able to spot the one item that is different from the others.

I Am Different! Can You Find Me? is an excellent choice for introducing the differences and similarities of different languages and cultures from all over the world.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2012 USBBY’s Outstanding International Book Winner (K-2^nd grade)

Positive review in Kirkus: “A substantive, engaging title for multilingual education. Bravo!”

Positive review in Booklist: “This colorful, original picture book provides an intriguing introduction to languages as well as differences.”

Review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Many of the distinctions are quite subtle (one straight line among curvy ones; a box without a match, a ladder with different colored rungs), which points to the book's understated message about the subjective nature of difference, but may frustrate readers.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Use in a discussion on world cultures and languages. Teach the children new words using the pronunciation guides on each page.

*Global Fund for Children books celebrating diversity:

Ajmera, Maya and Ivanko, John D. Come Out and Play. ISBN 9781570913853

Ajmera, Maya and Ivanko, John D. To Be a Kid. ISBN 9780881068412

Ajmera, Maya and Regan, Michael. Let the Games Begin. ISBN 9780881060676

Global Fund for Children. Global Babies. ISBN 9781580891745

Welcome, again!

Welcome to my book review blog, originally created for Literature for Children and Young Adults, taught by Dr. Sylvia Vardell. The reviews that will be posted in the future are for Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, also taught by Dr. Sylvia Vardell.