As I write this post it is hard not to tear my mind away from the current events rocking the world. The specter of global military conflict rises again. With it, the unspoken acknowledgement that for every bomb dropped, people with no tangible stake in its ends are displaced from homes, workplaces, communities, and memories.… Continue reading Migrants by Issa Watanabe
Tag: #socialissues
Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasaki
Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasaki When I first encountered Dad Bakes on the “New Picturebooks” shelves of my local library I didn’t have any expectations beyond a read-aloud to compliment a cold weekend after some father-son baking time. When flour finally returned to shelves a few months into the initial on-set of the pandemic, baking… Continue reading Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasaki
Vote For Our Future
I discovered the book Vote for Our Future by Margaret McNamara and Micah Player a few months ago. I was searching for a children’s book that I could read to my second and fourth-grade students that would be informative, yet steer us away from any contentious conversations. Given the age of my students and the… Continue reading Vote For Our Future
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
Clean Getaway, acclaimed Dear Martin author Nic Stone's debut middle grade novel, is sure to be a hit in schools this year. William "Scoob" Lamar embarks on an adventure of a lifetime with his Grandma, G'ma. As he leaves his single dad behind, Scoob has no idea what will be in store. His traveling adventures… Continue reading Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
When Stars Are Scattered
By Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed This compelling story of two young brothers' survival in a refugee camp after fleeing their warn-torn country of Somalia is based on the lives of Omar and Hassan Mohamed. When Stars Are Scattered vividly paints a picture of what a refugee camp is actually like: the struggle for food,… Continue reading When Stars Are Scattered
I Promise by Lebron James, Illustrated by Nina Mata
The best part of a new school year is the anticipation it holds. A new school year means a new teacher, new opportunities, and maybe even new friends. While the 2020-2021 school year is beginning unlike any other year amidst a global pandemic, promises are still ready to be made. In Lebron James's new children's… Continue reading I Promise by Lebron James, Illustrated by Nina Mata
The Sad Little Fact
Being a fact is not always easy. "A Fact is a Fact" is a simple statement and yet, it can also be bold and intimidating. Among the best things about reading with first graders are their inquisitive nature and honesty. Both were on full display during this reading of The Sad Little Fact by Jonah… Continue reading The Sad Little Fact
Ho’onani: Hula Warrior
Is Ho'onani wahine (girl) or kane (boy)? She doesn't see herself as either. Instead she feels most comfortable somewhere in the middle. Ho'onani: Hula Warrior is based on the true story of 11-year-old Ho'onani Kamai of Honolulu, Hawaii. The reader can't help but think about gender roles/identity and also about love, unconditional acceptance, and determination… Continue reading Ho’onani: Hula Warrior