Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel by Anthony D. Robles, Illustrated by Carl Angel & Translated by Eloisa D. de Jesús

Robles, A. D. (2006). Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel (C. Angel, Illustrator, E. D. De Jesús, Trans.). San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

Summary: Lakas finds out his friends at the Makibaka Hotel are being kicked out of their homes. He doesn't like this and so joins in the protest. This is based on a true San Francisco story.

Review: This is a great book to introduce injustice and activism.

Diversity: Lakas is a Filipino boy and the residents of the Makibaka Hotel are all people of color. Also, this book has the original Tagalog juxtaposed with the English translation.

Suggestions for Teachers: Use this to teach injustice and activism as a read-aloud book.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 740-1010L, ATOS Book Level 4.97-7.03, Flesh-Kincaid 4.51-7.72, 5.42-7.92
2. Qualitative: This text is moderately complex. It is organized chronologically. Vocabulary is largely familiar with some Tagalog phrases. Some students might be confused by the Tagalog on each page. The beautiful colorful illustrations help students make meaning of the text. Knowledge of the Makibaka strike will be helpful but not necessary.

Content Areas: Language Arts

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.3
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).

Relevant links: Teaching Books

Subjects/Themes: peace, violence, identity, Filipino, protest, injustice

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A