Year: 2020

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The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas by María García Esperón – Book Review

 

Title: The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas
Author: María García Esperón
Illustrator: Amanda Mijangos
Translator: David Bowles
Publisher: Levine Querido
Release Date: February 23, 2021

The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas tells the sacred stories of the First Nations of North and South America. Spanning across two continents, author María García Esperón, illustrator Amanda Mijangos, and translator David Bowles, tap into the power and beauty First Nations saw in their world and the awe they expressed through their storytelling. These tales provide readers with an intimate look at First Nations cultures from the Arctic to the tip of South America and many, many other cherished, important places in between.

The Sea-Ringed World capably helps fill a glaring void in middle grades and young adult literature. The anthology shines a light on the vast and diverse First Nations cultures of North America and South America. It is a topic that merits more attention. Though the stories are complex and varied, they still consistently draw out universal themes. They raise the big questions all civilizations young and old, large and small grapple with and ponder. How did we get here? Who are our ancestors? What is our relationship with the universe? When the novel’s creators thread together tales to probe these questions, they also create opportunities for readers to make connections between cultures, time periods, and regions. Much time is devoted to the sacred stories of the Ancient Greeks or Ancient Egyptians in elementary and middle grade classrooms. The First Nations possess a literary and oral history equally as compelling, significant, and rich. The Sea-Ringed World not only makes that fact clear but also demands to have those narratives included in any study of the past. For any reader, The Sea-Ringed World will be a deeply inspiring, personal, or illuminating experience. Its presence in a classroom will also contribute to a more inclusive curriculum that centers and celebrates First Nations.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Levine Querido, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the history of Native Americans in North America and South America.
  • Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study of ancient stories.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading books about ancient stories and ancient civilizations.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Native Americans of the Western Hemisphere
  • Native American Stories
  • History of Native Americans of the Western Hemisphere

Book Companions

The following are great fiction books to pair with The Sea-Ringed World (nonfiction). In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
Photo by Ilse Orsel on Unsplash
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The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar – Book Review

 

Title: The Land of the Cranes
Author: Aida Salazar
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 15, 2020

Summary

Betita’s father has told her the story many times before. Their people came from Aztlán, land of the cranes, a sanctuary somewhere in the present-day Southwest United States. Even though the people left the place of the cranes to establish a city, Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City), their people will one day return to Aztlán and live with the cranes once more. Now, Betita embraces her inner crane, knowing that charting a course to live in the promised land of Los Angeles will allow her to fly and be freed from the danger her family leaves behind in Mexico. However, as undocumented immigrants in an increasingly hostile United States, Betita and her family face the threat of ICE round-ups and deportation at every turn. When Papi does not pick Betita up from school one day, her family’s worst fears are realized. In reality, the worst is to come. Betita still hopes to fly but when her own wings are clipped and she’s put in a cage, her hope for a safe and secure future shatter. It will take all her family’s strength and resolve to be together once again.

 

Review

Aida Salazar’s The Land of the Cranes is a stunning novel in verse. Betita’s story humanizes the news headlines about undocumented immigrants, their experiences in the United States, and the consequences of policies that affect them. It demands readers engage the subject with deep empathy. The prolific crane metaphor drives home all the novel’s literary elements, from character to conflict to theme, and the imagery of it captures Betita’s story perfectly. While 2020 seems to be the year for novels in verse, The Land of the Cranes is aptly suited for the style. Its content, covering undocumented immigrants, detention centers, and family separation, are heavy topics for young readers, but they are topical. Meanwhile, the verse makes the issues accessible. The bite-size poems reveal a stunning truth but do so in a way that allows young people to grapple with the injustices and dehumanizing experiences they tell about detained immigrants in the US.

The Land of the Cranes is heartbreaking, powerful, and perspective-changing. Middle grade readers would greatly benefit from reading Betita’s story. Coupled with a cross-curricular study about the history of immigration and the United States, students would develop not only a more thorough understanding of immigration’s complicated place in American history but also a better understanding of the debates still occurring about it. The Land of the Cranes also presents an opportunity to infuse art into the ELA and History classroom. Using Betita’s work as a springboard, such an inclusion would allow for even deeper analysis of and self-reflection about the novel’s complex topics. The topics merit that time. Rightfully, it would apply a lens that helps students better understand the country’s past, present, and future.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Scholastic Press, for an eARC of this book.

 

Classroom Applications

  • Unit – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the history of U.S. immigration, especially as it pertains to Central and South America.
  • Thematic Literature Circle – Use novel for small groups or choice reading for books about immigration.

 

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • U.S. History of Immigration
  • Life of Immigrants in the U.S.
  • Current Events and Contemporary Issues – Family Separation
  • Immigration Push and Pull Factors

 

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with The Land of the Cranes. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

  • Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros (Nonfiction Connections, Character Connections, Themes)
  • Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan (Nonfiction Connections, Character Connections, Themes)
  • Refugee by Alan Gratz (Character Connections, Themes)
  • Front Desk by Kelly Yang (Character Connections, Themes)
  • Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (Themes, Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections)
*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Flooded: Requiem for Johnstown by Ann E. Burg – Book Review

 

Title: Flooded: Requiem for Johnstown
Author: Ann E. Burg
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: October 6, 2020

It is 1889, and the residents of Johnstown, Pennsylvania are preparing to honor those that served and those that lost their lives fighting for the Union in the Civil War. As Decoration Day approaches, six young people’s experiences reveal the nuances of life in this small, steel town. Despite its size, these voices illuminate the complexities of class divisions in America, especially as the fancy fishing and hunting club up the mountain takes every measure to keep the regular townsfolk out. The club counts as members some of the country’s wealthiest men and powerful steel barons, but it has also neglected the dam that creates its peaceful lake. It has compromised the dam’s safety for personal benefit, repeatedly ignoring calls for the dam’s repair despite the fact Johnstown is situated directly below its wall. While whispers and rumors of the dam’s imminent collapse circulate throughout the Johnstown community, no one actually believed it would break. Until it did. A torrential rainstorm swelled nearby creeks and rivers, and soon the dam’s wall failed, sending a deadly wave of water, trees, and debris rushing toward the community below. When the voices of the survivors and of the dead take stock of the dam’s catastrophic failure and the devastation it left in its wake, the blame falls squarely on the negligence of the club and its rich members. Yet, power and money work hand-in-hand to continue to drown out calls for justice.

Flooded: Requiem for Johnstown by Ann Burg is a unique retelling of the true-life tragedy that unfolded in Johnstown, PA. Told in verse from the perspectives of various Johnstown young people, all who assume the White Default, the novel explores the minutiae of everyday life while also situating it within the larger societal context of the time period. Adopting various perspectives, all of which are inspired by real people and include the river itself, provides a comprehensive narrative about the infamous tragedy. The ending may not leave readers with a sense of closure, but it does feel appropriate. It underscores the injustice the townspeople endured. In the end, readers will be left with myriad questions about the 1889 Johnstown flood, making the novel a perfect vehicle for probing deeper into not only the event itself but also the Industrial Era and Gilded Age of America’s past. This is also a strength. Its form and genre are unique and so too is the novel’s setting, which offers middle grade readers an opportunity to examine an oft-neglected period of history.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Scholastic Press, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Unit – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the Industrial age of the United States.
  • Book Pairing – Pair the book with another novel about the Johnstown flood.
  • Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study of the Industrial age in the United States.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading historical fiction.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Industrial Age of the United States
  • Johnstown Flood 1889
  • Class Inequality of the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Flooded: Requiem for Johnstown. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza – Book Review

 

Title: The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars
Author: Shivaun Plozza
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: November 17, 2020

In the land of Ulv, a long-ago myth claims a wolf ate the Stars, ridding the land of all magic. Now, shadow creatures stalk the starless nights, forcing all who live there to stay inside – to stay in the light. Twelve-year-old Bo has heard the stories, but like everyone else, does not put much stock in the tales. That is until a wolf attacks his guardian, Mads. When Mads takes his last breaths, he sends Bo on a quest to find three keys and release the Stars back to the sky. As magic returns to Ulv and panic spreads, Bo sets off to do the impossible. On the way, he is joined by Tam, a bird-woman bound to protect him, Selene, who newly possesses magic, and Nix, his beloved pet fox. While the group races to solve riddles and collect keys, they realize they aren’t the only ones after the stars. Bo and company must fight against villagers, a greedy trader, and the dangerous Shadow Witch. The odds are stacked against them. It will take more than luck to succeed; it will take the power to be true to yourself, a special magic all its own.

The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza is a thrilling adventure. Plozza deftly creates a magical world full of fantastical creatures and people and wastes no time immersing readers in that setting. Such a powerful and engaging start will keep readers turning pages to the end. The diverse cast of characters, both in form and skin color, contributes to Ulv’s intrigue and mythical mood. No character is without flaws, grounding the action-packed tale in real-world believability. When the author explores these vulnerabilities, the descriptive prose sometimes struggles to find its footing and purpose. These instances slow the dramatic pace of the journey, providing a respite for some readers or an obstacle for others. Still, Plozza’s world-building abilities shine with the inclusion of the True History of Ulv chapters. These brief insights help bring Ulv and its past to life, offering helpful context about people, places, and things throughout the rest of the novel. The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars will excite, shock, and awe every reader that desires a mythical, magical hero’s journey adventure.

Middle grade students and teachers will delight in The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars. It presents the perfect opportunity to delve into the hero’s journey, either as a standalone anchor text or as part of literature circles. Couple the novel with a narrative writing unit focused on fantasy, and students will be inspired to create worlds of their own through words. At the very least, middle grade students will enjoy Bo’s tale and transformation, getting lost in Uly’s unique story and finding the power that comes from seeing the force that follows from being your unique, true self.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, HMH Books for Young Readers, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Book Pairing – Pair the book with another novel that follows the classic hero’s journey.
  • Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study of the hero’s journey.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading mythical fiction or fantasy.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Hero’s Journey
  • Myths about the Stars

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Stick With Me by Jennifer Blecher – Book Review

 

Title: Stick With Me
Author: Jennifer Blecher
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: November 3, 2020

Izzy is the most talented artist in the 6th grade. Art is her escape, a way for Izzy to express her complicated emotions, especially since her best friend, Phoebe, has ditched her for the meanest girl in their grade. Suddenly, the solace Izzy finds through drawing is disrupted when another family rents out Izzy’s family’s house for a week.

Wren is a dedicated, talented ice skater, preparing for the upcoming sectionals competition. She plans to practice every moment she can until her plans go awry when her parents announce they are going away for a week. Wren and her family need to stay at a house, Izzy’s house, near Boston’s Children’s Hospital because her sister Hannah is slated to undergo brain surgery. Hannah suffers epilepsy, and the surgery is the culmination of years of tests, doctor’s appointments, and therapies, none of which have completely worked.

Although in close quarters, it is not until both girls end up at Izzy’s school’s theater camp for the week-long winter break that they gradually warm up to each other. The girls find common ground in their situation and a common foe in Daphne. Although their budding friendship is challenged by tween drama, Izzy and Wren team up and stick up for each other.

Stick With Me by Jennifer Blecher gives reader a small but powerful snapshot into the ebb and flow of middle school friendships. By alternating between Wren’s perspective and Izzy’s perspective, the author is able to create complex characters and a comprehensive narrative in a short amount of time. Izzy and Wren, both assuming the White Default, possess starkly different interests, personality, and circumstances. Yet, their ability to still find common ground offers a compelling lesson for readers. Blecher also does a fantastic job of making Wren and Izzy’s road to friendship messy. It is not perfect. There are hiccups. Therefore, it’s realistic. At the same time, the girls’ ability to come together and be there for each other will keep readers interested and engaged in their respective stories to the end.

Middle grade teachers and counselors that find themselves supporting students in the midst of tween drama will find Stick With Me a great discussion vehicle. Similar to how the counselor in the novel has a “lunch bunch” with a group of students, a teacher or counselor could use the text to organize the same sort of gathering. The novel could be used as a way for students to connect with one another and see their shared experiences. Stick With Me could also be a valuable part of literature circles focused on friendship, building a positive classroom community, or other themes related empathy. No matter the context, Stick With Me’s lessons and themes have clear relevance and therefore clear value for the young readers it is intended to reach.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Greenwillow Books, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study of themes of middle school and friendship.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading realistic fiction or books about friendship.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Epilepsy
  • Ice Skating
  • Drawing Tutorials

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Stick With Me. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Serena Says by Tanita S. Davis – Book Review

 

Title: Serena Says
Author: Tanita S. Davis
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: November 3, 2020

Serena St. John cannot wait to visit her best friend JC in the hospital, especially since JC just had a kidney transplant. When Serena starts to feel under the weather just before the visit, her plans are put on hold. Unable to see JC, another classmate of Serena’s, new girl Leilani (Lani), goes in her place. Serena’s troubles seem to pile up from there. As Serena and JC’s friendship wanes, Serena struggles to understand these changes and her own identity since she suddenly is no longer “JC’s best friend.” Through her family’s support, Serena’s vlogging hobby, and a growing ability to reflect in challenging moments, Serena gains the courage to speak up and speak out about what matters most to her.

Serena Says is a wholesome and honest look at middle school friendships. This notoriously hard age brings with it changes and challenges that often happen without a clear reason, making it all the more confusing and frustrating for young people. Author Tanita Davis captures a slice of this middle school experience. Readers will find themselves confounded and frustrated right alongside Serena as she navigates life and school without a best friend by her side. Serena’s transformation is subtle and realistic, showing that change does not always happen at once. Such a portrayal will resonate with middle grade readers as many will undoubtedly face similar conflicts and questions. Another strength is the novel’s diverse cast of characters. For instance, Serena is Black, JC is Filipino, and Lani is Hawaiian. The diverse set of perspectives will open doors to all types of readers and allow them to connect with the characters. On the other hand, Serena’s vlogging may get mixed reviews. While it provides insight into Serena’s mindset and perspective, some segments do not necessarily contribute to or move the plot forward in a significant way. Even so, other readers may enjoy her vlogs for the breaks they provide from the middle school drama that fills the rest of the narrative.

Serena Says brings a burst of fresh air to the middle grade genre. Many new books focus on larger societal issues or heavier topics, deservedly so. But novels, such as Serena Says, will always have a place in classroom libraries because of the universality of its central theme: the experience of friendship during middle school. Although seemingly a smaller topic in the scheme of things, it is a deeply personal one and potentially quite significant. A person’s own experiences during that time in their life can have a profound impact on them – no small topic indeed. Therefore, Serena will find many fans in the middle grades for the respect it affords young people and the empathy with which it treats their experiences.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Katherine Tegen Books, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study of themes of middle school and friendship.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading realistic fiction or books about friendship.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Vlogging
  • DIY Crafts
  • Mental Health

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Serena Says. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.