Month: November 2019

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Dreams from Many Rivers

Dreams from Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in Poems
by Margarita Engle (Author) and Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez (Illustrator)

Booktalk: From Juana Briones and Juan Ponce de León, to eighteenth century slaves and modern-day sixth graders, the many and varied people depicted in this poetry narrative speak to the experiences and contributions of Latinos throughout the history of the United States, from the earliest known stories up to present day. A middle grade verse history of Latinos in the United States told through many voices.

Snippet:

CONQUEST MEANS CRUELTY


PEDRO DE ACEVEDO
Puerto Rico, 1493

As the cabin boy on this ship,
I am a witness to the excitement
of Colón, whose first journey reached
other islands.

Now, this second voyage brings us reality.
It won’t be easy to find the spice trees we seek.

When I see a boy around my age,
I learn his name, Guacarigua.

He will be one of the captives,
a person enslaved.

A 2019 Cybils Poetry nominee

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

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Computer Decoder

Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist
by Andi Diehn (Illustrator) and Katie Mazeika (Illustrator)

Booktalk: A picture book biography about Dorothy Vaughan, one of NASA’s first African American managers and one of the groundbreakers on the front line of electronic computing. Includes hands-on STEM activities for an introduction to coding.

Snippet:


Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

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The Superlative A. Lincoln

The Superlative A. Lincoln: Poems About Our 16th President
by Eileen R. Meyer (Author) and Dave Szalay (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Abraham Lincoln is famous for many extremes: he was the TALLEST president, who gave the GREATEST SPEECH and had the STRONGEST conviction. But did you know that he was also the MOST DISTRACTED farmer, the BEST wrestler, and the CRAFTIEST storyteller? Nineteen poems share fascinating stories about events in Lincoln’s life, while history notes go even deeper into how he excelled.

Snippet:

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

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Not a Bean

Charlesbridge has two awesome picture books coming out tomorrow (November 5, 2019) that celebrate moths. Today let’s take a sneak peak at Not a Bean by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez and illustrated by Laura Gonzalez.

What does a book called Not a Bean have to do with moths? It might be clearer when you find out the bean in question is a Mexican jumping bean. Still not clear? The Mexican jumping bean moves around because there is a tiny larva (caterpillar) inside that eventually emerges as a moth.

Along with gently guiding readers through the life cycle of the moth, Martínez introduces young readers to a smattering a Spanish words including the numbers from one to ten. There is a glossary of Spanish words in the back matter, as well as an author’s note with more details about the caterpillar’s biology.

Laura Gonzalez’s digital illustrations are lush and inviting, with exactly the right amount of playfulness.

Because Not a Bean is multifaceted, it could be used either for a lesson on Spanish language and Mexican culture, or for a science unit on insects (or both!) Plus, who isn’t intrigued by a “bean” that jumps? Investigate a copy today!

For the rest of the review and insect science activity suggestions, visit Growing with Science blog.


Copyright © 2019 Roberta Gibson All Rights Reserved.