For the Love of Literacy

This true story teaches young readers that believing in oneself and having courage to persevere is the greatest ability of all. Born with a deformed leg in Ghana, many judged and dismissed Emmanuel due to his disability. Throughout this text, there is a unifying theme of overcoming adversity. Thompson does a fantastic job grounding the story in facts, providing details that are vivid, accurate and linked to the accomplishments of Emmanuel (Galda, 2017). Teachers can use this text to:  explore themes such as overcoming adversity, perseverance, and self-reliance Culturally Response Teaching discuss conversations about privilege  ------- Author:  Laurie Ann Thompson Illustrator:  Sean Qualls Year Published:  2015 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 5-8 , Grades  K-2 Genre: Memoir

This graphic novel perfectly combines historical facts with engaging storytelling about the real life shark attacks in the early 1900s. The plot is based on authentic facts that are subordinate to the story itself. At the end of the book, there are a number of pages devoted to engaging readers in real information about the shark attacks that actually took place.  Teachers can use this text to:  supplement to social studies/history/Science lesson about Shark Attacks introduce students to graphic novels engage readers in a blook club ------- Author:  Lauren Tarshis, Georgia Ball (adaptor) Illustrator:  Hause Studio Year Published:  2020 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 8-12, Grades 3-7 Genre: Historical Fiction

Nguyen brings readers an unforgettable story about a Vietnamese American girl whose life in unexpectedly transformed by a California wildfire. The main character, Simone, is multidimensional; changing and developing over time as she experiences evacuating from her home and learning the tale of her mom's experience of evacuating as a kid due to flooding. This powerful tale is one that many can relate to  and has a theme that is intrinsic to the story and applicable to readers' lives. Hope and healing in the wake of generations of displacement is a real feeling for many.  Teachers can use this text to:  explore themes such as hope and healing fictional supplemental to nonfiction learning about wildfires in parts of our country Culturally Response Teaching ------- Author: Viet Thanh Nguyen Illustrator: Minnie Phan Year Published: 2024 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 5-9, Grades K-4 Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Culturally Diverse  

Uncle Jed is a talented barber, beloved by many, who even without a shop never gives up on his dream. The setting is integral to the story and evokes a vivid historical time consistent with historical and geographical evidence. Social issues are portrayed honestly, without condoning bias for race, gender, or other differences. "Even though I was unconscious, the doctors wouldn't look at me until they finished with all the white patients" (Mitchell, 1998). This book is a fantastic is a fantastic read aloud for young children to teach them, regardless of time, place, situation, to never give up on their dreams. Teachers can use this text:  to teach about topics such as saving money, segregation, perseverance, and grit culturally Response Teaching use as a read aloud or anchor text for writing ------- Author: Margaree King Mitchell Illustrator: James E. Ransome Year Published: 1998 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-7, Grades K-2 Genre: Historical Fiction  

Ruby is unlike most girls in her town in Old China. She wants to attend university like the boys. This story is a great example of striving for more and ultimately getting rewarded for hard work. This text is a great example of historical fiction as Events, attitudes, and social issues are portrayed honestly, with historical evidence, and appropriate to the culture and time period (Galda, 2017). "This was unusual in China in those days, as many girls didn't learn to read and write" (Bridges, 2015). The illustrations enhance an understanding of the plot, setting, characterizations, and theme through the use of realistic details and culturally appropriate color schemes. Teachers can use this text to:  explore themes such as self-esteem, gender equality, family relationships teach about perseverance and goal setting Culturally Response Teaching ------- Author: Shirin Yim Bridges Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Year Published: 2015 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 8-12, Grades 3-7 ...

This story exemplifies characteristics of excellence in narrative fiction. The text and illustrations work together to establish setting, characters, and theme that many students, especially student who move to a new place, can relate to. The way Vo illustrates the characters to look like aliens and the language they speak to look like symbols is a great analogy for what it must look/sound/feel like for students who are from a different place that speak a different language. The problems are believable and are solved in a realistic, culturally grounded way. The "foreign words and people" gradually start to morph into people Dat recognizes and understands. The illustrations clearly expand on the story appropriately, reflecting and extending the text. (Galda,2017)  Teachers can use this text to:  teach lessons of friendship and acceptance of differences inspire students to reach out to students who may be new Culturally Response Teaching ------- Author/Illustrator:  Young V...