The Port Chicago 50 Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights. Turtleback, 2017. Print.
Summary: The military advertised opportunity and a chance to serve the country to people of color in the early 1900s, but when African-Americans signed up they soon realized that segregation was still prevalent even in the military. After an explosion at the Port Chicago Naval base killed hundreds of sailors, African-American sailors were blamed and crucified when they refused to return back to work in unsafe working conditions. A story rarely told, this book tells the documented story of how African-Americans fought for equal right amongst the military while also fighting for their country
Strengths & Connections To The Textbook: The way that the African-American sailors in this book were treated automatically made me think of kids developing morals and values. Although this book is nonfiction, I think anyone would be sympathetic to the unfair treatment these sailors received. Additionally, this book meets the criteria by which we judge nonfiction books. It’s apparent that the author did their research, the visuals support the text and it is organized by a table of contents.
Connections:
Handler, D. (2011). Why we broke up? New York: Little Brown.
Summary: From the start everyone said Min and Ed shouldn’t be together, so is it really a surprise that they’re breaking up? A story told from Min’s point view, we’ll witness the highs and lows of a passionate teenage love that crashes and burns in some all too familiar realities.
Strengths & Connection To Text: Staying true to the criteria of realistic fiction, Why We Broke Up is consistent with the real world, has a theme that emerges naturally, and relates to the modern reader through teenage love. Though we know that Ed will eventually be the antagonist because of Min’s references, it’s also interesting to see the looming antagonist, Annett, that our main character misses due to being blinded by love.
Connections:
Reynolds, J. (2016). The boy in the black suit. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary: After Matt’s mother dies from cancer and his father falls into a drunken depression, things can’t get any worse until his dad gets hit by a car leaving him stuck in the hospital to recover and Matt at home alone. When Matt picks up a job at the funeral home he meets Lovey and they share a special connection and find solace in on another, but there’s a little unknown piece of the puzzle that connects them more than they initially know.
Strengths & Connections To The Textbook: Finding literature for students who are dealing with the loss of a parent can sometimes be difficult but very necessary to help them during their time of grief. This book does an incredible job describing Matt’s feelings while dealing with death.
Connections:
Harris, Robie H., and Michael Emberley. It's Perfectly Normal: A Book about Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health. Boston, MA: National Braille, 2003. Print.
Summary: Harris gives straightforward, accurate, and understandable information to its readers about puberty, sex, families and babies, staying healthy, and decisions while Emberley creates realistic visuals that represent a variety of people and situations. This book is highly recommended for teaching kids who are wondering what’s happening to their body and to assure them that everything is perfectly normal.
Strengths & Connection To Text: When thinking about the development of adolescents, this book should be an essential part of teaching students about health. The pictures are not kiddie and do not beat around the bush, but strictly informational while allowing every child to see his or her body type be represented.
Connections:
Lu, Marie. Champion: A Legend Novel. Turtleback, 2014. Print.
Summary: June and Day are from two different worlds, but their paths soon cross once Day is named the prime suspect after June’s brother is killed. June, a military brat for the newly founded Republic, seeks out Day to avenge her brother’s death, but Day is on a different mission to help his low class family survive the government’s barbaric ways. Once these two come together, they uncover some truths about their government that could bring the entire system crashing down.
Lu, M. (2013). Prodigy. Melbourne: Razorbill.
Summary: A prequel to Legend, June and Day continue their fight in opposition to the Republic by joining the Patriots. Day’s brother is still being held captive and the Patriots offer to help Day rescue his brother if him and June help assassinate the new Elector. However, through June’s personal experiences with the new Elector, she isn’t sure that his assassination is the best choice.
Strengths & Connection To Text: Legend and Prodigy fall into the dystopia category of science fiction and the inside covers of the book display a map of the new United States that gives the reader a visual to the geographical location of the Republic and Colonies. Characters still behave in a consistent manner and this book definitely gives readers a window to look into a different world.
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