China's Bravest Girl: The Legened of Hua Mu Lan by Charlie Chin; Illustrated by Tomie Arai

Chin, C. (1993). China’s bravest girl:The legend of Hua Mu Lan (T. Arai, Illustrator, W. X. Chu, Trans.). San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press.

Summary: This is the story of Hua Mu Lan, the warrior who pretended to be a man and was a hero in the war protecting China against her invaders. Here it is written in verse.

Review: Beautiful pictures and verse makes this story come alive.

Diversity: This is a Chinese folktale.

Suggestions for Teachers: This book could be a read aloud when discussing verse or heroes. It would do nicely to contrast with the princess phenomenon.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 420-820L, ATOS Book Level 2.75-5.14, Flesh-Kincaid 1.98-5.34, 3.53-6.13RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is moderately complex. It is told chronologically. It is written in verse with an ABCB pattern that students will enjoy hearing. Many students will have background of this story from the Disney film version Mulan.  
3. Content Areas: English Language Arts, History

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2
Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6
Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.9
Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures.

Relevant Links: Interview with Charlie Chin

Subjects/Themes: women, China, legends

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A

Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee by Marissa Moss; Illustrated by Carl Angel

Moss, M. (2009). Sky high: The true story of Maggie Gee (C. Angel, Illustrator). Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press.

Summary: Maggie always dreamed of flying. Like her family, she wanted to create and experience her own life stories and adventures. She is given that opportunity during the outbreak of WWII when she joins the Women Airforce Service Pilots. She has adventures flying as a Chinese American pilot.

Review: This is a beautiful biography picture book of a strong, determined young woman of color.

Diversity: Maggie Gee is Chinese American; she is confused at one point as a Japanese during her time as a pilot.

Suggestions for Teachers: Use this book when you teach biography.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 740-1010L, ATOS Book Level 4.97-7.03, Flesh-Kincaid 4.51-7.72, 5.42-7.92 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is moderately complex. It is organized chronologically although there are some flashbacks. Most of the vocabulary is familiar. Students will be able to make meaning of Maggie's story; those who are familiar with a basic understanding of WWII will be able to access this book more easily. The illustrations are beautiful and help describe Maggie's experiences.

Content Areas: Language Arts, Social Studies

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.6
Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided.

Relevant Links: Teaching Books

Subjects/Themes: biography, Chinese American, WWII

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A

Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates by Jonah Winter; Illusrated by Raúl Colón

Winter, J. (2005). Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates (R. Colón, Illustrator). New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks.

Summary: This book is a short picture biography of Roberto Clemente from him as a boy growing up without money in Puerto Rico to coming to the United States and making a name for himself in a racist society to his tragic death on an airplane to help earthquake victims.

Review: A beautiful story biography for all of our students who aspire to be baseball players.

Diversity: Clemente is a Black Puerto Rican who endured lots of racism.

Suggestions for Teachers: Use this book to teach biography.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 800L, ATOS Book Level 2.75-5.14, Flesh-Kincaid 1.98-5.34, 3.53-6.13 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is slightly complex. It is organized chronologically. Yet, the sentences are written like poetry in stanzas. Vocabulary is largely familiar and contemporary. The colorful illustrations give life to Clemente's story. Knowledge of baseball and Roberto Clemente will help students.

Content Areas: Language Arts

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.7
Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.8
Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison, cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.9
Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.

Relevant Links: Teaching Books

Subjects/Themes: racism, identity, biography, perseverance, acceptance, family

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

Willems, M. (2009). Naked mole rat gets dressed. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Summary: Wilbur is a naked mole rat who likes to wear clothes. Everyone in his community makes fun of him for doing so until a town meeting is called and Grandpah presides.

Review: This book is about staying true to who you are and being yourself.

Diversity: The identity and individuality could be interpreted as diversity and accepting differences.

Suggestions for Teachers: Use this to book to talk about difference.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 470L, ATOS Book Level 2.75-5.14, Flesh-Kincaid 1.98-5.34, 3.53-6.13 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is slightly complex. It is organized chronologically. Vocabulary is largely familiar and contemporary. "Proclamation" might be a difficult word. Some students might be confused about what a mole rat is. The beautiful and contrast between the colorful clothes and the drabness of everything else may highlight difference. Knowledge of the mole rats will help students make meaning.

Content Areas: Language Arts

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Relevant Links: Teaching Books

Subjects/Themes: individuality, identity, diversity, acceptance

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A

We Need Diverse Books Tumblr

We need diverse books tumblr. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2014, from http://weneeddiversebooks.tumblr.com/

Summary: This tumblr is the cutting edge site for this campaign on the need for diversity in children and young adult literature.  Posts on the movement, interviews with authors of color, and the pulse of diversity in YA lit are here.

Review:  As a teacher librarian, being part of this movement is my job and I need to be informed.

Diversity: Enough said. Interviews with authors of color and lists of books with diverse protagonists are here.

Suggestions for Teachers: Use this website to talk to your students about why books need to represent the whole spectrum of diversity. Teach a unit analyzing book cover art and see whose faces are portrayed and whose aren't.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: N/A
2. Qualitative: Attractive. Great for browsing, a little harder to use for searching. This website is for all activists in the profession and for our young students activist who desperately want to change the face of YA lit so that all can find mirrors and windows in books. There is a lot of information here and it isn't organized in the most easy to find fashion so you have to do a little hunting. This would be great for a student's research project.

Content Areas: All

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1
Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2
Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3
Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.

Relevant links: We Need Diverse Books Tumblr, We Need Diverse Books Website

Subjects/Themes: teaching resources, diversity

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A

Ms. Yingling Reads

Yingling, K. (2014, November 30). Fantasy [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/

Summary: Ms. Yingling's blog for middle school librarians and ELA teachers who are looking for the right book for each kid.  She publishes reviews daily and is especially thinking about how to get boys reading.

Review:  This blog is a great resource for librarians and teachers of middle school students.  There is a wealth of information for all kinds of middle grade books.  She gives a summary and then strengths and weaknesses.  Just reading for the strengths and weaknesses can help you develop your collection.

Diversity: Ms. Yingling is an ally the campaign for diverse books and often always features diverse books as soon as she gets them in her hands. Each Wed is devoted to reviews of diverse books.

Suggestions for Teachers: Use this website to develop your collection and to recommend books to your students.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: N/A
2. Qualitative: Easy to use layout, daily concise postings and good book lists. This is for professionals in education to get ideas about books for their students. Students could use Ms. Yingling's reviews to search for books they might like. The text is largely familiar to all. No prior knowledge is necessary.

Content Areas: English, Social Studies

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1
Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2
Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3
Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.

Relevant links: Ms. Yingling Reads

Subjects/Themes: teaching resources, ELA, Common Core, text complexity, lesson plans

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A

This American Life: Is this Working? #538 by Chicago Public Radio & Ira Glass

Chicago Public Media, & Glass, I. (Producers). (2014, October 17). Is this working? [Show #538]. This American life from WBEZ. Podcast retrieved from http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/538/is-this-working

Summary: Act One of this episode talks about how Black and Latino children are being suspended as early as preschool way more than Whites.  Tunette Powell’s three and four year old children are getting suspended from preschool repeatedly.  Powell blames herself as a child who was repeatedly suspended and even expelled from preschool.  She thought it was because her father was in prison.  As an adult she believed with a two-parent household and a stable income, she was doing better for her kids.  Her kids’ suspensions make her wonder what she’s done wrong.  Then conversations with other kids’ parents at a birthday party make her realize that her children are being punished more frequently and for lesser offenses.  Powell writes a blog questioning the racism she is facing. 

Review:  This first 17-min clip is thought-provoking.  Anecdotally and statistically it is very rich.  Students could share their school experiences with discipline and their thoughts on justice in schools.  Who gets it?  Who doesn’t?  Lots of juicy questions for teenagers.  This podcast is perfect for the auditory learner.  It is well edited and the music helps engage all.  Using a reflection notebook, students could write down details about Powell’s story while listening.  

Diversity: Racism towards African American students is discussed extensively through this episode.

Suggestions for Teachers: A conversation about race in America would be a good pre-activity to prime students, but most will find this podcast engaging and disturbing. Use this to talk about current events in Ferguson and race in America in a Social Studies class.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: N/A
2. Qualitative: The stories and interviews used here are told in chronological order. Vocabulary is contemporary and largely familiar. No other context is needed to make meaning. A discussion about students' own racial experiences or a journal might be a good way to prime students.

Content Areas: English, Social Studies

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.2
Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to provide a complex analysis; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.3
Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.5
Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness or beauty of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.

Relevant links: This American Life

Subjects/Themes: racism, discipline, education, African Americans

Awards: N/A

Series Information: This American Life

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Bridge by Patrick Jones

Jones, P. (2014). The Alternative: Bridge. Minneapolis, MN: Darby Creek.

Summary: After his father experiences a debilitating accident, José has to make tough decisions for his family. He has to decide how to support them as well as do the right thing for himself. He has to decide whether to stay in school or work full time.

Review: I met Patrick Jones recently at the YALSA Lit Symposium and admired his commitment to writing for reluctant readers and for students of color. This text is at an appropriate reading level for many of my students and it is about an immigrant Latino family who struggles. Unfortunately, Jones' portrayal of family appears to be one of deficit instead of value. José appears to be a martyr for his family with the help of his hero-like teachers.

Diversity: This novel centers around a Latino family.

Suggestions for Teachers: This text would be best in a classroom library. I would have students, especially my Latino students, analyze Jones' portrayal of family.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 800L, ATOS Book Level9.67-12.01, Flesh-Kincaid 8.32-12.12,8.41-10.81RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is slightly complex; it is chronological. The language is largely contemporary and familiar. Those who have knowledge of immigration issues will have a stronger understanding.

Content Areas: English

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Relevant links: Teaching Books

Subjects/Themes: family, acceptance, values, immigration

Awards: N/A

Series Information: The Alternative series

I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña

de la Peña, M. (2010). I will save you. New York, NY: Delacorte.

Summary: Kidd Elliott has run away from a group home after tragically and dramatically losing both his mother and his father. He hopes to start over working at a campsite in Cardiff, CA with Mr. Red, his boss who has experienced his own tragedy, as a mentor. He falls in love with Olivia who also has her own secret. What makes things difficult is his best friend Devon from the group home whose risky behavior tries to derail Kidd's fresh start.

Review: An intense look at PTSD, domestic abuse, friendship and family. De la Peña shows his depth as a writer with Kidd's character.

Diversity: An accurate representation of diverse beachside Southern California. Red dates women of color. Olivia has her own issues which make her different. Kidd is biracial.

Suggestions for Teachers: Great for coming-of-age literature circle or a look at trauma.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 770, ATOS Book Level 9.67-12.01, Flesh-Kincaid 8.32-12.12, 8.41-10.81 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is very complex. Lots of flashbacks with organization. The ending and discovering the secrets of the narrator will require a close-reader The language is largely contemporary and familiar. Overall, this novel may appear accessible but a sophisticated reader will understand Kidd's true identity at the end. Knowledge of trauma and personality disorders will help create meaning for readers.

Content Areas: English

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Relevant links: Teaching Books, Matt de la Peña

Subjects/Themes: family, acceptance, PTSD, trauma

Awards: 

• ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults and Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
• Finalist for the 2011 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award

Series Information: N/A

Kendra by Coe Booth

Booth, C. (2008). Kendra. New York, NY: Push.

Summary: Kendra lives in the Bronx with her grandmother. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, just finished her Ph.D. Kendra hopes to live with her mother. Her father lives upstairs with his younger sister and Kendra's best friend, Adonna. Kendra is trying to figure out puberty, boys and win her mother's acceptance.

Review: A raw book of coming-of-age. Compulsive and compelling. Due to the sex scenes, I would recommend this for a high school library.

Diversity: Strong and powerful female African American characters of low socio-economic status.

Suggestions for Teachers: Great for coming-of-age literature circle.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 770, ATOS Book Level 9.67-12.01, Flesh-Kincaid 8.32-12.12, 8.41-10.81 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is slightly complex; the organization is chronological and easy to follow. The language is also largely contemporary and familiar. Overall, this novel is very accessible. Knowledge of housing projects could help readers visualize more.

Content Areas: English

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Relevant links: Teaching Books, Coe Booth

Subjects/Themes: family, acceptance

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A

Cholodenko, G. (2013). A Tale from Alcatraz: Vol. 3. Al Capone does my homework. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Summary: Moose Flanagan and his friends are off to solve a new mystery. Who started the fire in their apartment? Mrs. Trixle thinks it's Natalie. Also, lots of money has been coming onto Alcatraz. Where's it coming from? Moose, Annie, Jimmy, Natalie and Piper are at it again.

Review: My favorite of the Al Capone series so far. A real dilemma for kids to deal with when someone who is different gets blamed. Lots of parallels in real life. Moose is growing up in this book and it's fun to see how he's maturing.

Diversity: Moose's sister, Natalie, has Autism though at the time there isn't a name for it.

Suggestions for Teachers: Great book to study ally-ship in an ELA classroom and connect to CA history as well. Lots of parallels for students when studying difference and family.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 600L, ATOS Book Level 7.00-9.98, Flesh-Kincaid 6.51-10.34, 7.04-9.57 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is moderately complex; the organization is chronological and straightforward. The language is largely contemporary. Knowledge of Alcatraz and Al Capone will make this text more accessible to readers.

Content Areas: English, Social Studies

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3
Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.9
Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Relevant links: Teaching Books

Subjects/Themes: family, acceptance, difference, mystery

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A