Through My Eyes

Through My Eyes

Book Review III

Author: Ruby Bridges

Illustrator: N/A contained photos from the time period

Genre: Autobiography

Subgenre: Historical

Primary Characters: Ruby Bridges

Secondary Characters: Mrs. Henry, Ruby's mother and father

Publishing: Scholastic Press 1999

Awards: Orbis Pictus Award 2000

Theme: A child's bravery can change the world for the better.

Summary: This a story about Ruby Bridges. She was a six year old who was the only African American in an all white school. It is a story written with her accounts of what happened that year of first grade. It is a tale through her eyes.

Use with students: In a classroom, this book can be used as a aid in a lesson about the Civil Rights Movement. It will give students a chance to connect to someone like them who experienced the terrible things of segregation.

When Marian Sang

When Marian Sang

Book Review III

Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Genre: Biography

Subgenre: Fictionalized Biography

Primary Characters: Marian Anderson

Secondary Characters: Giusseppe Bughetti

Publishing: Scholastic Press 2001

Awards: Robert F. Sibert Award 2003

Theme: One person's accomplishments can lead to changes being made in society.

Summary: An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson. She was an incredible singer, and the first African American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera. This book tells of her journey to the top, and the social changes her success caused.

Uses with students: In a classroom, this biography can be used during a discussion about Black History Month. It can also be used to introduce a lesson on biographies.

WOLF!

WOLF!

Book Review III

Author: Becky Bloom

Illustrator: Pascal Biet

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Picture Book

Primary Characters: Wolf

Secondary Characters: Duck, Pig, Cow

Publishing: Orchard Books 1999

Awards: NC Children's Book Award

Theme: When trying to make new friends, be the best version of yourself.

Summary: Wolf had been traveling for a really long time, and his tummy was growling. He stops at a farm hoping to find dinner, but all he sees is a duck, a pig, and a cow reading a book. He is fascinated and decides to learn how to read as well. So he goes to school, the library, and even a bookstore. He teaches himself how to be an excellent story teller. Back at the farm, he tells the others his majestic stories. The other animals love his stories, and decide to invite him to their picnic. They become friends for life-always reading.

Uses with students: In a classroom, this picture book can be used to show how cool reading is to peers. It can encourage the students to read so that they can make friends like the wolf. It would also make a great read a loud book because the words and pictures are large enough to be seen from a distance.