Becoming Critically Literate

  Description from the publisher: "Helaine Becker's  An Equal Shot  is a nonfiction picture book introduction to the history and importance of Title IX as civil rights legislature, featuring illustrations by Dow Phumiruk. You’ve likely heard of the law Title IX. It protects the equal rights of students, athletes, and professionals in America regardless of gender. But do you know about the women who fought to enact this new law? Here is the rousing account of how Title IX was shaped at the hands of brave politicians who took risks to secure women’s dreams and their futures under the Constitution. From the creative team that brought you  Counting on Katherine  and told in simple, commanding prose,  An Equal Shot  celebrates the power of words to defend and unite vulnerable people." Text Features:  Narrative nonfiction picture book in English Includes expository back matter to help readers learn more about key individuals in the fight for gender equa...

  Description from the publisher: "Visit a truly special street bursting with joy, hope, and dreams. Inspired by the neighborhood where they grew up as cousins, this gorgeous picture book from an award-winning illustrator and critically acclaimed author is the perfect gift or keepsake for every generation.   Welcome to Dream Street--the best street in the world!  Jump rope with Azaria--can you Double Dutch one leg at a time?  Dream big with Ede and Tari, who wish to create a picture book together one day. Say hello with Mr. Sidney, a retired mail carrier who greets everyone with the words, " Don't wait to have a great day. Create one!"  On Dream Street, love between generations rules, everyone is special, and the warmth of the neighborhood shines.   A magical story from the critically acclaimed author of  Nana Akua Goes to School  and a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award winning illustrator. Illuminating this vivid cast of characters are...

Description from the publisher: "Based in part on a 100-year-old family journal, Rosemary Wells brings to life a story that the diary’s fragile pages tell. It’s the story of a wooden rocking chair handmade in about 1825 by her great-great-grandfather, an immigrant Jewish boy who made his way to America from Germany in the early 1800s. In 1807, Sam Siegbert is born in southern Germany. Sam’s favorite pastime is carpentry, much to his father’s displeasure. His mother says he has a gift from God in his hands. After moving to America, he builds a wooden chair with the word  WILLKOMMEN  on the back. The chair’s back panel was later marked with  welcome s by four generations of the family in four different languages. After the family lost track of the old chair, the author created a new life for it among new owners from other corners of the world. All the families who loved the chair came to America, escaping religious conformity, natural disasters, tyrannies, war, and supersti...

  Description from the publisher: "Zonia’s home is the Amazon rain forest, where it is always green and full of life. Every morning, the rain forest calls to Zonia, and every morning, she answers. She visits the sloth family, greets the giant anteater, and runs with the speedy jaguar. But one morning, the rain forest calls to her in a troubled voice. How will Zonia answer? Acclaimed author-illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal explores the wonders of the rain forest with Zonia, an Asháninka girl, in her joyful outdoor adventures. The engaging text emphasizes Zonia’s empowering bond with her home, while the illustrations—created on paper made from banana bark—burst with luxuriant greens and delicate details. Illuminating back matter includes a translation of the story in Asháninka, information on the Asháninka community, and resources on the Amazon rain forest and its wildlife." Text Features:  Fictional picture book–available in English and Spanish Expository back matter to support...

Description from the publisher: With humor and warmth, this children’s picture book raises awareness about poverty and hunger Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia’s fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi’s house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi’s family doesn’t have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she’ll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she’s faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi’s empty fridge. Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others. A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on anti-hunger groups, is also included. Text Features:  Fict...

  From the publisher: "Why are our skin colors different? What makes skin brown? Why are grown-ups mean to each other?  Five-year-olds have a lot of questions about skin color. And they're not always easy to answer.    With Different Differenter, Jyoti Gupta uses simple, age-appropriate explanations and 14 fun activities to help elementary schoolers discover answers to questions that often originate with skin color and lead up to cultural, ethnic, racial, and class- or caste-based differences. “Dismantling colorism is central to dismantling racism,” says Jyoti. “So why doesn’t every child know a key word like melanin?”    Drawing on her experience as a racial-literacy educator, mediamaker, and activist, Jyoti helps her readers understand the factual information about skin color and its related concepts that is missing from everyday conversations. She also gives her readers creative, play-based tools to challenge colorist narratives and cultivate healthy rel...

  Book description from the publisher:  " An inspiring look at young climate change activists who are changing the world The world is facing a climate crisis like we’ve never seen before. And kids around the world are stepping up to raise awareness and try to save the planet. As people saw in the youth climate strike in September 2019, kids will not stay silent about this subject—they’re going to make a change. Meet 12 young activists from around the world who are speaking out and taking action against climate change. Learn about the work they do and the challenges they face, and discover how the future of our planet starts with each and every one of us." Text Features:  Features 12 true stories of children who are environmental change makers Hybrid narrative and expository nonfiction text Critical Literacy Suggestions: Read & Discuss:   As you read about each child's story, pause to reflect on and discuss the following questions: What environmental harm is descr...

  From The Publisher: " Powerful stories of influential Native Americans―for kids ages 8 to 12 From every background and tribal nation, native people are a vital part of history. This collection of biographies for kids explores 15 Native Americans and some of the incredible things they achieved. Kids will explore the ways each of these people used their talents and beliefs to stand up for what’s right and stay true to themselves and their community. This book of Native American history for kids teaches them about: Becoming a leader ―Learn how Sitting Bull led with spiritual guidance and a strong will, and how Tecumseh inspired warriors to protect their communities from white American hostility. Staying strong ―Discover athletes like Maria Tallchief, who broke barriers in ballet, and Jim Thorpe, who showed the world that a native man could win Olympic gold. Fighting for change ―Find out how Deb Haaland and Suzan Harjo use their activism to raise awareness about Native American issu...