Grades 6-12. The author of the Lunch Lady graphic novels shares his challenging childhood. Born to a young drug-addicted mother, his earliest years weGrades 6-12. The author of the Lunch Lady graphic novels shares his challenging childhood. Born to a young drug-addicted mother, his earliest years were memories of strange people in his house and being left alone. His grandfather was eventually given custody (not his grandmother because of his mother's broken relationship with her). He talks about the confusion of growing up with grandparents and hiding the reason he lived with them. He shows us how he began to discover art, how his mother appeared in and out of his life, the good bad and ugly truth of the abuse, neglect and sacrifice his family dealt with. With his hindsight, readers will be hopeful that they can find themselves in the middle of turmoil. Krosoczka opens his heart and with maturity shares how he came to terms with events of his youth....more
Grades 2-7. My son is obsessed with playing guitar and has a Gibson Les Paul. It was fun to read about this remarkable man. As a kid he loved music anGrades 2-7. My son is obsessed with playing guitar and has a Gibson Les Paul. It was fun to read about this remarkable man. As a kid he loved music and tinkered with the mechanics of speakers, radios and phones. His teacher said he'd never be a musician because he didn't read music. His mom didn't care and encouraged his endeavors.
Things that were fascinating: how he came up with the idea for a solid body guitar by experimenting on different materials. He was also a performer and created many of his inventions from necessity. In the notes at the end he also came up with other inventions like re-dubbing and loop pedals. Les Paul is in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Inventors Hall of Fame!
I can't wait to share this with my kids at school-- a story of creativity and perseverance. ...more
Grades 2-7. It's great to have a book with a black inventor that isn't about peanut butter. I also like that the book discusses his other work with NAGrades 2-7. It's great to have a book with a black inventor that isn't about peanut butter. I also like that the book discusses his other work with NASA and how he tinkered all his life. He came up with the idea for the super-soaker while working on a coolant problem for refrigerators. Throughout his life he had many challenges and his new invention wasn't immediately lucrative. He lost a lot before his invention finally took off. My only criticism is that sometimes the writing seems to lack the excitement and creativity of the topic....more
Grades 5(?)-adult. A look at the fall of the Russian royal family in context of historical events and changes in the feudal system/ industrial revolutGrades 5(?)-adult. A look at the fall of the Russian royal family in context of historical events and changes in the feudal system/ industrial revolution. Explains the tragedy of this disconnection and the challenges faced both medically and culturally. Addresses the Anastasia myth, but not a focus....more
Grades K-5. Isatou struggles to carry items from these key to her home in Gambia. Her basket has broken. She leaves the wooden basket on the ground toGrades K-5. Isatou struggles to carry items from these key to her home in Gambia. Her basket has broken. She leaves the wooden basket on the ground to decay.
She soon spots a bright plastic grocery bag and is delighted. Her mother complains that plastic doesn't last and won't be degraded.
Soon enough, the bag has broken. isatou throws the broken one on the ground and picks up another.
Over time, she notices the broken bag doesn't change. More and more bags are accumulating. Animals begin eating them, including the goats the depend on for life. They die when the plastic blocks their digestive system.
Isatou gets an idea for cleaning up the bags and helping.
Great idea for service learning, ecology and re- use....more
Grades 2-6. Emmanuel was born with one functioning leg in Ghana. Disability in some places is seen as a curse. Children with disabilities are sometimeGrades 2-6. Emmanuel was born with one functioning leg in Ghana. Disability in some places is seen as a curse. Children with disabilities are sometimes abandoned and denied an education or place to work.
Emmanuel's mother pushed him to learn what other children his age were doing. He showed tremendous grit and found ways to get to school, play soccer, get a job, and ride a bike.
As he found success, he wanted to share the hidden potential to others who shared his challenges. He wrote to the education foundation and sports academy and asked them to fund a bike ride across Ghana.
Topics: grit, differently-abled, special Olympics, equality emmanuelsdream.org...more
Grades 6-9. Memoire. Maya, 15, share her real-life experience following a 1950s popularity advice book while navigating the social jungle at her middlGrades 6-9. Memoire. Maya, 15, share her real-life experience following a 1950s popularity advice book while navigating the social jungle at her middle school. What a brave and creative young lady. A great message and sweet book....more
Grades 5-9. Wow. This book blew me away. It will certainly win this year's Coretta Scott King Award. I hope it also wins Newbery.
In beautiful free verGrades 5-9. Wow. This book blew me away. It will certainly win this year's Coretta Scott King Award. I hope it also wins Newbery.
In beautiful free verse, Jacqueline Woodson paints a picture of her childhood. Moving to South Carolina from Ohio in the late 60s when equal rights were law but not practice. Being raised a few years by her grandparents. Moving from a small town again-- to New York City. Births. Deaths. And throughout this, the self-realization that writing is what really brings meaning to her life. Upbeat and inspiring and a unique offering....more
Kate Hastings
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Books:
biographies
(57)
