Becoming Critically Literate

  Publisher's Description: " Molly and her mom don’t always have enough food, so one Saturday they visit their local food pantry. Molly’s happy to get food to eat until she sees her classmate Caitlin, who’s embarrassed to be at the food pantry. Can Molly help Caitlin realize that everyone needs help sometimes?" Text Features:  Informational picture book. Additional back matter about the topic of food insecurity. Critical Literacy Suggestions: Read & Discuss:   BEFORE reading: discuss what students might know already about food pantries (what are they? where are they? who goes to them? why do people go to food pantries?) DURING reading: ask students to listen out for reasons why people go to the food pantry and how they feel about it.  AFTER reading:       Discuss with students what feelings they noticed different characters having and why they think they were experiencing those feelings. For example: What did Caitlin feel when she saw Molly? W...

  Description from the publisher: " Discover both the past   and  present day's fight to vote with Quetta Little as she learns the power of casting your vote in this ideal picture book from acclaimed author Leah Henderson and illustrator Keisha Morris. The perfect companion for any young reader during election year! It’s Election Day, and Quetta, her mother, and her grandmother embark on their journey to cast their vote. Trekking through their vibrant neighborhood, they meet obstacle after obstacle before—and after—reaching their voting station. Unwilling to give up, Quetta’s mother and grandmother teach her about the importance of voting and those who fought for their right—and Quetta comes to discover the power of raising her voice. With warm illustrations, engaging text, and insightful timeline,  Your Voice, Your Vote  will inspire readers to embrace this civic duty in the face of today’s continued fight for voting rights." Text Features:  Realistic fict...

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...