Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle: an #OwnVoices coming of age story

 

Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle a debut novel by Hilda Eunice Burgos is a middle-grades chapter book with lots of heart and drama.  6th grader Ana Maria is determined to earn a scholarship to attend the prestigious Eleanor School in NYC.  If she can perform piano at Lincoln Center she will be sure to be considered.  But when her parents announce to her and siblings that they are having another baby, all Ana Maria can think is how it's going to negatively affect their already-cramped apartment and life in Washington Heights.  After a trip to the Dominican Republic for her aunt's wedding, Ana Maria begins to change her outlook and be more mindful of her friends and family's needs.  

As a librarian and teacher, I would use this book with my students. She is going through a lot of identity issues which students can relate to and understand.  The fact that her parents are immigrants from the Dominican Republic and are trying to make a better life for their children is another discussion topic to which many students can connect. There is a free Teacher's Guide on the Lee and Low website that supports discussion questions and extension ideas to go along with this book. Students will enjoy the book trailer below:

#ILA Reads hosted the author, Hilda Eunice Burgos, to have her read aloud one chapter of her book:

Land of the Cranes: a migrant's perspective

 

Land of the Cranes, by Aida Salazar, is a novel-in-verse story of immigrants from Mexico that is perfect for 3rd graders and up.  4th grader, Betita lives in east L.A. with her Mami and Papi.  She loves drawing and writing poetry, especially about the legends her Papi tells her about their being descendants of cranes.  When her Papi get detained by I.C.E., Betita and her newly pregnant Mami must find a way to help him. During their attempt they both get detained, too.  Betita is shocked at the freezing cold conditions at the center where they are being held and tries her best to stay positive.  She believes that as her ancestors before her, she will be able to be free once again.  With her Mami's pregnancy in danger, Betita fears that she may lose her Mami and unborn sibling.  A sorrowful story of a real problem that if affecting this country.

As a librarian and teacher I would use this story with students.  We would discuss what it means to file for asylum and look at real life cases where this happens.  

This book would pair well with the picture book, Hear My Voice, set for release on April 13, 2021:

 

The Cat I Never Named: wartime memoir

 

The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War and Survival by Amra Sabic-El-Rayess with Laura L. Sullivan is a young-adult memoir that resonates with anyone who has had connections to persecution, uncertainty, and wanting to live life with dignity and hope.  This is the story of Amra, a survivor of the Bosnian Genocide from 1992-1996.  She is 16 when she learns that because she is Muslim and lives in Bosnia, her life is threatened.  Although she lives among Serbs and Jewish people, there are tensions of war coming closer to her town, Bihać.  

The only light in her life is when she befriends a stray cat.  The cat, Maci, ends up performing miracles and saves the life of multiple people throughout the war.  While Amra and her family find ways to evade starvation and build community despite the whole world seeming to ignore their strife, Maci continues to be the constant comfort in their lives.  Amra's parents hide Muslim soldiers who run away from serving in the Serbian army. One solider tells Amra, "Thank you, you and your parents for being lights in the nightmare of my life."  When refugees pour into their city, Amra and her family find ways to help them.  "Without question, without reward, we help."  Her father, Tata, says, "A drop in the ocean. But many drops can turn a tide."

The constant hope that Amra has is to survive the war and continue her education.  She says, "One of the greatest responsibilities is knowledge."  How can she hold on to this hope when there is such devastation around her?  She finds that, "The world is a beautiful place.  It's not beautiful everywhere, but that just makes it more important to look for the beauty." Amra's strength comes from her family's belief in her abilities.  She is determined to be successful at any cost. "I won't let the world go black around me. I'll kindle a new light.  With study and knowledge and persistence...and hope."

 

Told with a rawness that will make you want to learn more about this horrific war, Sabic-El-Rayess and Sullivan detail the events and connect them with strong characters.  This story will remind people of where they were when they learned about the genocide in Bosnia and what was being reported in various parts of the world.  It is especially interesting because Sabic-El-Rayess and Sullivan do not stop the story once the war is declared "over".  Too often people who are apart from a war think it is like closing a book.  This story is unique in its exploration of what happens to cities and its people after a war.  "Left for any traumatized survivors is yet another trauma."  This is in terms of rebuilding one's life and country.

For further reading at the end of the book is a comprehensive list of books and sites for further research.  There are even film suggestions about the war in Bosnia.  The author's note describes how her story parallels life under the current COVID-19 pandemic with being isolated and wanting any sense of normalcy, school, anything!  She continues to share the state of Bosnians and Serbs today.  Her hometown of Bihać is currently taking in refugees from around Europe.  She also gave an excellent interview about her book.

If I Disappear: a mystery from an unreliable narrator

 

If I Disappear, by debut author, Eliza Jane Brazier, is a thrilling adult novel aimed at true-crime podcast fans.  Rachel, a popular host of a true-crime podcast, has gone missing.  A long-time fan, Sera, feels like she has the skills to follow-up and help find Rachel.  Sera travels to Rachel's family's ranch and gets a job there alongside Rachel's peculiar parents and odd townsfolk.  Sera uses the clues from past episodes of Rachel's podcast to get to the center of the disappearance, if that is truly what it is.  Will Sera get answers or will she be the one who disappears next?  

When You Trap a Tiger: Korean folklore come to life

 

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is the 2021 Newbery Medal Winner for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.  I can see why it was awarded this most prestigious award in the children's book world.  It is a story that transports the reader to another dimension while being firm-footed on the ground in this world.  It spans across generations, yet only takes place during a short time.  As this book teaches, Korean stories start with, "Long, long ago, when tiger walked man..."

Lily has always felt different. Maybe because her big sister wants nothing to do with her or the fact that Lily cannot remember her Dad.  The only time she makes sense is when she is around her Korean grandmother, Halmuni.  When Halmuni falls ill, Lily digs into her magical side and makes a deal with a tiger heal her Halmuni.  But as her Halmuni warned her, NEVER trust a tiger. With time running out, will Lily be able to save her Halmoni or even herself?

Bit About Books Winter Reading Challenge 2021

 

Ever since I was young, books offered an escape.  I could travel somewhere else, become a different person and join the characters on their journey for the duration of the book reading, but also, afterwards.  When I'd hear something and could connect it to a character, event or storyline from a story, I knew that books were magical because they could become a part of me.  It is not surprising that as a teacher and librarian I am constantly on the lookout for the best books to read and share with my students, teachers, and community members.  

One way that helps me stay on track with reading is by participating in reading challenges.  It's easy to do when the categories for what to read are intriguing, yet broad enough to find books that fit within them.  Another way that makes it more enjoyable is to share what I am reading for the challenge with others.  I love learning what others are reading and if they like it.  With the high numbers of books being published, word of mouth, seems like the best way to catch the best of the best ones.

This is my first year participating in the Bit About Books Winter Reading Challenge. There are points for each category and you can share what you've read on social media with the hashtag, #bitaboutbooks .  I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and will participate in future challenges because it pushed me out of my comfort zone to read books I wouldn't usually read on my own: 

FREE CHOICE: When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller 

100-200 Pages: Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis 

1-Word Title: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Author Debut: Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh

Animal Main Character: Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker

A Direction in the Main Title: Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh

A 2021 Publish: Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden

A Book Set in Country I Don't Live: All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

An Award-Winner: When Stars are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson

A Person's Name in the Title: The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh by Candace Fleming

2 Books by the Same Author:  Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

The Sea in Winter: an authentic, modern-day Native voices book

 

The Sea in Winter written by Christine Day  is a middle grades novel that appeals to those who have been disconnected from their life purpose and need to find their way back.  In this story, 12 year-old Maisie is recovering from a knee injury that has left her without her ballet friends and her identity as a dancer.  This loss of control of her life is sending her down a depressing cycle of negative self-talk and a feeling of helplessness.  

When her family goes on a road trip to her mother's native ancestral homeland, the Makah, Maisie connects to the strength of her ancestors who had to endure hardships.  During the trip she cannot express why she feels so low despite her attempts to try to enjoy the memories she is making with her family.  After a text from her friend sends her into a downward spiral, Maisie has no choice but to face reality and accept help from her family so that she may heal in more ways than one.  

As a teacher and librarian, this book can be used in multiple ways:

1. The poetic language Day uses to describe the landscape as well as the characters.  It transports the reader to the landscape of the Pacific Northwest, to the ocean and the forest.   Students can explore the setting through online research to note how it compares to what they imagined while reading the book.  

2. Maisie learns how her ancestors lived through a landslide caused by magnitude-9 earthquake in the 1700s that caused a tsunami in Japan.  When asked how that could be, her mother replies, "The ocean has always connected us."  Students can take this one step further by researching other ways that one natural event affects other places.  

3.  Maisie and her little brother learn from their father about how his Klallam peoples' lives were affected by White settlement in the area, specifically, not being able to fish without a license.  But fishing licenses were only granted to citizens and Native Americans did not attain citizenship until 1924.  Students can research how the Native American community in their area was affected by White settlement. 

4. Maisie is going through a difficult time in her life. She doesn't have friends at school, her grades are slipping, and her one and only hobby is something that is off-limits until her body can heal.  A lot of people can relate to this sense of loss.  Students can revisit Maisie's mother's advice when she tells her, " Dreams change. Realities change. People change.  We all go through it in different ways."  What does she mean by this? How does this connect to your life?

The author's note at the end of the story gives more context to the various topics explored in the book.  The reader can benefit from reading this because it has such a personal connection to Day and her life.  More stories of modern-day Native people and their history and hopes for the future are much needed. Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, which published Day's book, has more authors with stories to tell. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books, classrooms and libraries around the world can carry and share these stories with their communities. 

The Awakening of Malcom X: a novel

 

The Awakening of Malcom X by Ilyasah Shabazz with Tiffany D. Jackson is a moving narrative biography that focuses on the years that X spent in prison from ages 20 to 27,  where he learned about the teachings of Islam and was shaped into the person he became to lead the Nation of Islam. 

"Wake up, Malcom!"

 Told in three parts from the first time he steps into the horrendous prison in Charlestown where he loses the willingness to improve his mind, to part two where he is enlightened by self-education in the library and his family's support, and concludes with part three where he gets transferred to a better facility in Norfolk where he joins the debate team.  Throughout his time in prison he has flashbacks to his family and reflected on ways he can help his people be free.

"Up, up you mighty race!"

I was already familiar with Malcom X's teachings and speeches, however, the way that he came to the religion was new information.  Since Shabazz is his daughter she had first-hand knowledge of the letters he wrote back and forth with his family and with Elijah Muhammad.  The part that stood out to me was when he discovers that, "even a crumb of dignity can change the way you look at the world and the way you see yourself in it."  Once he was given the chance to prove his worth to his fellow inmates and to the outside world, he only wanted to inspire others to follow suit.  

"Everybody needs their family, Malcom. We're always with you. Don't ever forget that."

This story sparks a lot of questions for students and even adults.  They can delve deeper into Malcom X's speeches and what happened to his position in the Nation of Islam.  Inquiry into the role of prisons and incarcerated people can also stem from this story.  Finally, the role he had in the Civil Rights Movement can also be explored further. 

Almost American Girl: an illustrated memoir

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha is a poignant story on immigration and cultural norms that emotes empathy for anyone who has been made to feel like "the other."

 For 14 years Chun is raised by her mother in Seoul, South Korea. Chun and her mother face prejudice there because of her mother's unwed status.  During the summer Chun's mother announces a surprise trip to Alabama to visit a new friend.  Unbeknownst to Chun, her mother had no intentions to return to Seoul. Chun was blindsided. She didn't like Alabama because she hardly spoke English, had racist classmates, and she wasn't able to say goodbye to her friends back at home. Months of isolation and loneliness caused Chun to doubt her mother's life choices.  With flashbacks that filled in the backstory of Chun and her mother's life, the story moves in a hopeful direction when Chun finds friends in a comic book club.  

This story connects to me as in immigrant because like Chun, I was asked if I wanted to choose an American name to go by in school.  Before my kindergarten enrollment I spent weeks deciding what name would be a part of my identity.  For Chun, it was Robin.  For me, it was Fallon.  Asking a 5 year old or a 14 year old that question is a heavy load for them to process. The choice empowered Chun because it allowed her to start fresh in a new school.

Robin's story also connects to me as a teacher, because I, too, have had students who have immigrated to the United States.  I knew how important it was to build relationships with them and their families.   In the story, Robin has a strong relationship with her English/Language Arts teacher.  They write back and forth in Robin's journal and she encourages Robin to speak up for herself.

Robin was rescued from feeling isolated by reconnecting with her friends in Seoul.  "Even though my friends weren't with me, knowing that they cared gave me strength."  This is the part that truly saves Robin.  She had to feel like herself again before she could be vulnerable to explore her interests in Alabama.  Knowing that her friends back home were rooting for her gave her the confidence to try harder.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky & Destroys the World: a journey into West African folklore

"Everybody wears life's scars a little differently." 

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia is an adventure-filled story based on West African mythology and folklore.  7th grader, Tristan, is reeling over the loss of his first boxing match and also grieving over his best friend, Eddie. The only item that Tristan has left of Eddie is their shared journal where they'd recorded old stories recounted by Tristan's Nana.  When the journal goes missing during the night, Tristan chases the thief into a thicket of bottle trees on his grandparents' farm in Georgia. Although his grandparents warn him never to venture there, he feels like he doesn't have a choice. A struggle ensues and Tristan's strength actually tears into the thicket and he ends up falling through a passageway into another world, Alke.  In this world, mythical characters actually live and they need Tristan to restore order since he tore a rip in their sky allowing haints to enter.  The question is, will Tristan be the one to save the day when there are real heroes around, like, John Henry?  What is so special about their journal?

"May the stories you hear sound just as good the second time around."

In the second book, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, Kwame Mbalia continues Tristan's story.  He has returned safely to his grandparents' home.  During a boxing match in the barn he hears ghostly voices and sees people asking for help.  With help from the trickster, Anansi, Tristan learns that John Henry has been attacked and his hammer was stolen.  The sinister figure comes after Tristan and kidnaps his Nana.  Tristan has no choice but to return to Alke to save her and understand why she was taken in the first place. Upon returning to the other world, Tristan encounters new characters from West African mythology and folklore who will either help or hurt him.  This is a fast-paced, adventurous story that discusses how to deal with trauma in order to grow.  

"And you know, stories are easy to carry.  Don't weigh nothing. Don't cost nothing."

Both of these books' themes resonate with readers. Storytelling is an important part of these books because it's what groups of people rely on to continue their culture.  Mbalia has done that for a new generation of readers and even adults who may not have heard of many of the folklore characters in the stories.  Mbalia also creates a world of supportive people who drive one another forward despite fears of failure.  This sense of community is brought up when in the end of the second book when everyone is asked,

 "Who stepped up for you, when no one else would?"  

As a teacher and librarian, I would ask my students to share these important stories and consider who has their best interests at heart.  Another way that these books could be used with readers is to go back and read the original stories of the characters.  Some are more well-known but the others may require a bit more digging.  In those stories, how are the characters portrayed? Are they the same or different as Mbalia writes them?  

In 2020, Mbalia won the Coretta Scott King honor award for Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. The Coretta Scott King Award is given "to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. "