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Lubaya’s Quiet Roar, written by Marilyn Nelson, paintings by Philemona Williamson

Lubaya's Quiet Roar: Nelson, Marilyn, Williamson, Philemona: 9780525555551:  Amazon.com: Books

A quiet roar? Yes! This oxymoron captures the entire book!

Lubaya hardly every raises her hand, even when she knows the right answer. She watches the hand-waving picked kids stand in the light of classroom admiration.

We learn that introverted Lubaya is a day dreamer, an observer, an artist. She prefers solitude to joining in team games or playing video games with her brother.

She sits listening and drawing, happily along. Mom, Dad, Jelani, and the people on TV fill the air with talk. She catches words and writes down snatches of what she overhears.”

Lubaya's Quiet Roar: Nelson, Marilyn, Williamson, Philemona: 9780525555551:  Amazon.com: Books

When the evening’s breaking news causes a strong family reaction, Lubaya’s family begins to plan to march. Their posters are adorned with Lubaya’s artwork and soon history is made.

Lubaya's Quiet Roar: Nelson, Marilyn, Williamson, Philemona: 9780525555551:  Amazon.com: Books

Lubaya’s roar may not be loud, but a quiet roar can make history.

After reading Lubaya’s Quiet Roar, 4th graders’ comments included:

  • Is she famous?
  • That’s really about how little people can make big things happen.
  • Maybe it’s teaching us that there is more to people than what we see.
  • I noticed the characters all had different skin tones.
  • The news is always on in my house! My brother likes to watch it, just like Jelani.
  • Classmate A: It doesn’t seem hard to do what she did. Classmate B: Have you ever done that? Classmate A: What part? Made posters or marched? Classmate B: Either. Classmate A: Got it.

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