Module 3 Newbery, Printz, Coreeta Scott King, Pura Belpre Winners
June 16-22, 2014
Goin’ Someplace Special By Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator Jerry Pinkney
Image Found Here
Bibliography:
McKissack, P., & Pinkney, J. (2001). Goin' someplace special. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary:
This book was beautifully illustrated. It gave great perspective of a time period in our history where African Americans faced discrimination. The book is written from a young girl who is coming of age in this time period. The story shows the adversity that she faced and how she was raised to overcome these obstacles. In the end she found that special place and it is a pleasant surprise.
Impressions:
I really like this book. It gives a view of a time period unless experienced one would not really know. This story showed family values that could be applied to every reader not just this character.
Reviews:
McKissack draws from her childhood in Nashville for this instructive picture book. "I don't know if I'm ready to turn you loose in the world," Mama Frances tells her granddaughter when she asks if she can go by herself to "Someplace Special" (the destination remains unidentified until the end of the story). 'Tricia Ann does obtain permission, and begins a bittersweet journey downtown, her pride battered by the indignities of Jim Crow laws. She's ejected from a hotel lobby and snubbed as she walks by a movie theater ("Colored people can't come in the front door," she hears a girl explaining to her brother. "They got to go 'round back and sit up in the Buzzard's Roost"). She almost gives up, but, buoyed by the encouragement of adult acquaintances ("Carry yo'self proud," one of her grandmother's friends tells her from the Colored section on the bus), she finally arrives at Someplace Special—a place Mama Frances calls "a doorway to freedom"—the public library. An afterword explains McKissack's connection to the tale, and by putting such a personal face on segregation she makes its injustices painfully real for her audience. Pinkney's (previously paired with McKissack for Mirandy and Brother Wind) luminescent watercolors evoke the '50s, from fashions to finned cars, and he captures every ounce of 'Tricia Ann's eagerness, humiliation and quiet triumph at the end. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Children's Book Review: GOIN' SOMEPLACE SPECIAL by Patricia C. McKissack, Author, Jerry Pinkney, Illustrator , illus. by Jerry Pinkney. Atheneum/Schwartz $16 (40p) ISBN 978-0-689-81885-1. (n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2014, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-689-81885-1
Suggestions for Use
This book should be highlighted during Black History month. A comparison of today and the time period of the book could be done on what has changed and what still needs to be changed regarding discrimination and tolerance.
Bibliography:
Soto, G., & Guevara, S. (1995). Chato's kitchen. New York: Putnam's.
Summary:
Chato's Kitchen is a fun rendition of a cat and mouse tale with a spanish twist. The story is beautifully illustrated and the words are fun and show setting and culture. The cat wants to eat the mice, he comes up with a plan but it backfires.
Impressions:
I enjoyed this book very much. It is fun to read and the illustrations add depth to the story showing emotion and elements of the story not revealed in the text.
Reviews:
Soto (Too Many Tamales) commands a poet's gift for defining characters quickly, densely and, in this case, with hilariously choice words. Paired with Guevara's (The Boardwalk Princess) wickedly funny, urban paints, Soto's story of Chato, a cool, ``low-riding cat'' of East Los Angeles, is a scream. Chato and his friend Novio Boy plan a dinner for (and, they hope, of) the new mice next door. But the mice bring a surprise guest named Chorizo (sausage), who turns out to be a truly low-riding dachshund. Foiled, the cats resign themselves to mouseless fajitas. It's a basic enough tale, but close to brilliant in its execution. Guevara's cats are delicious send-ups of barrio characters, and Soto's words glisten with wit: ``We brought Chorizo,' Mami mouse called./ Sausage! Chato and Novio Boy danced, and with clean paws they gave each other a `low-four.'"" Salud to this magical pairing of talents. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)
Children's Book Review: Chato's Kitchen by Gary Soto, Author, Susan Guevara, Illustrator Putnam Publishing Group $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-399-22658-8. (n.d.). Retrieved July 08, 2014, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-22658-8
Suggestions for Use
This book could be used as spanish vocabulary lesson or activity. The students could read the book and list all of the spanish words from the book and the meaning they interpreted from the book.
