Juneteenth 2020

With all the recent news, activities, and current events surrounding racism; I wanted to blog about some of my thoughts from a school librarian's perspective.  And that will be the main topic of my NEXT blog.  However, because Juneteenth (June 19th) is just a day away, I wanted to write this blog first.  I have found that a lot of books that feature African-American protagonists are often set in either the time of slavery or during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 60's. Very few books are set in the time of Reconstruction right after the end of the Civil War.  

There are students every school year who are interested about slavery and want to read historical fiction books that help them to see what life was like back then.  I firmly believe that reading quality fiction is one of the best tools to developing empathy in people.  (That will be a main point in my next blog!) However, I think most students have an unrealistic view of what life was like for the freed slaves, especially right after the Civil War.  Juneteenth was a day of celebration to be sure!  But did much really change after that?  Did the day-to-day lives of former slaves change all that much? If you have a child who is interested in exploring these questions, I recommend the book Sugar by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

The story is set in 1870 Louisiana, just five years after the end of the Civil War.  Sugar is a 10 year old girl who is a newly freed slave on a sugar plantation who doesn't feel very free. Some of the former slaves have left the plantation, but Sugar's mother has died making it difficult for Sugar to leave. Spunky and strong-spirited, Sugar bristles against rules set down by her well-meaning guardians: #1. Don't associate with Billy, the former master's son..."he will be your boss someday". #2. Don't associate with the new laborers from China..."they are nothing but trouble and will take our jobs away".

Somehow, she finds ways to have fun while secretly joining forces with Billy.  She also befriends Beau and elder Master Liu who introduce her to the traditions of their culture.  Sugar learns she can rise above her circumstances and be the one to bridge the cultural gap and bring her River Road community together.

This book takes a hard look at racism from a variety of perspectives.  From the oppressed (former slaves), the unaware priviledged (Billy), and an unflinching look at prejudices of blacks towards the new Chinese immigrants. This story can teach us that we all need to check our beliefs.  We are never done when it comes to treating others as equals. 

I would recommend this middle-grade novel for 3rd-6th graders. If you are looking for good books for 

Juneteenth for all ages of kids, I recommend the following blog-post:

10 Children's Books Celebrating Juneteenth

This post is from 2016, but the books listed are still spot-on! Once I found this blog-post, I looked a little deeper at the blog itself.  It is called "Colours of Us" and the byline is: All about multicultural children's books. This blogger posts once or twice a month and has some really great book lists.  I have subscribed and am looking forward to using this as a resource to build diversity in my collection in my library. I encourage you to check it out as well. 

Image Credit: Amazon.com  

Pay Attention Carter Jones

Once in a while, a book comes along and becomes your new favorite. Maybe not your all-time favorite, but still...a favorite none-the-less. That happened to me with Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt. This book was on a short list of suggested books to read for a Mock Newbery book club. 

On the very day that Carter Jones is to start middle school, an English butler, complete with a bowler hat, shows up on Carter's doorstep. Neither Carter. nor the READER, can possibly guess the impact that encounter will have. This coming-of-age story revolves around the relationship of Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick, the take-charge butler, and Carter, a typical American sixth-grade boy. 

Oh ... but this book is so much more than just a coming-of-age story!

This book is told within the context of a cricket match ... no ... more like a cricket manual for Americans that have little background for the sport.  Each chapter starts with a definition of a cricket term or a description of certain cricket apparatus.  And some how, Gary D. Schmidt makes each introduction fit deftly into the developing story.  For instance, Chapter 4 starts with the following cricket term and description:

"TURN BLIND - When the batsmen ground their bats at the end of their run and change direction,the batsman facing the side of the field to which the ball has been struck must judge the likelihood of their making another successful run. When he turns in the opposite direction, or turns blind --a dangerous tendency--he cannot see the state of play, and so takes the risk of being run out. To turn blind is a risky endeavor."

In this chapter, Carter thinks he has outsmarted the butler--who is making his life miserable. But in the most humorous fashion, the butler has a surprise up his sleeve, catching Carter completely unaware.

Kids will immediately relate to Carter as he tries to navigate through his 6th grade year in middle school.  Add to that some family angst with a father who is deployed overseas in the military and a mother who is barely treading water with a family of 4 kids and a dog that pukes whenever he gets too excited. Schmidt weaves humor through the story in wonderful doses to keep the reader turning the pages. And then he godsmacks the reader with heavy-hitting themes of loss, responsibility, and what it means to "play the hand you are dealt". The combination is a story you will not be able to forget!

I recommend this book to 4th-8th graders. 

Car Fanatic Gets a Flat

Dear Library Lady,
I am a 4th grade teacher. I have a student (let's call him Winston*) who is a good, but reluctant reader.  The only thing he wants to read are books about cars.  Winston has checked out and read every single non-fiction car book in our school library.  I’m trying to get him to “broaden his horizons” when it comes to reading material.  Last week, the librarian suggested looking in biographies for books about famous racecar drivers.  I found one about Danica Patrick that he was willing to check out.  But I need more ideas!  Bonus points if it is a fiction book and is car related. 
-Wheels Are Spinning

Dear Wheels Are Spinning,
Thanks for being a teacher who takes an interest in what each of your students is passionate about.  When you helped Winston find that Danica Patrick biography, you did more than just provide reading material.  You were telling him that you care about his likes and dislikes; that you listen and want him to enjoy reading!
My first thoughts for book recommendations would be some more biographies.  The “Who Was/Is …”  books are very popular with kids.  I suggest Who Was Henry Ford by Michael Burgan.

In trying to recommend fiction titles that are car related, I asked some of my fellow librarians for help.  A number of them suggested the Jake Maddox books.  Jake Maddox is a childrens’ book author who specializes in sports fiction.  “His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing.” (quote from Capstonekids.com)
Some specific titles in the Jake Maddox series to look for:
Stock Car Sabotage
Race Car Rival
Kart Crash

One of my fellow librarians suggested The Haunted Car by R. L. Stine from the Goosebumps series. I think this book could be a “bridge” book for Winston.  That means it could be a book that leads him into wanting to read other genres or exploring books that aren’t what he usually gravitates towards.

 
I hope these suggestions get Winston into the driver’s seat again and cruising down the road to reading for pleasure.
Rollin’ along,
-The Library Lady 

*name changed to protect privacy

Image Credits: 1st and 3rd image are from Amazon.com. 2nd image is from Capstonekids.com.