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

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