John Henry by Julius Lester, Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Lester, J. (1994). John Henry. Puffin Books.
ISBN: 9780140566222
Summary:
When John Henry is born, both nature and the universe are in love with him; the sun, moon, and animals all come to celebrate. After growing quicker than possible, Henry goes on to defeat the meanest man in town and a boulder too tough for dynamite. He decides to go out on his own with his grandfather's 20-lb sledgehammers and takes on the task of tunneling through a mountain in competition with a machine. When he dies of exhaustion, the mourning onlookers decide that his life is a statement; they say everyone dies, but it 'matters how you do your living." Henry is basically canonized in DC as a legend to be admired.
Analysis:
The illustrations in this book are phenomenal to say the least, but they're also accurate for the time period but what is wonderful is that they don't make race the forefront of the story. The characters are clearly African American, but the story is more of a celebration of life in general, making John Henry a folktale character and not an impoverished African American from the late 1800s.
The most interesting parts of the book are actually the dialect that Lester uses within the dialogue and the metaphor/simile use within the exposition. For dialect, the characters spoke with just enough informal conversation that made it true to the time period without being overbearing or derogative of the characters. The beauty of the metaphor/simile usage spoke volumes. One of the most significant examples would be when describing the sound and vibration of the sound of his hammers on the boulder. Lester uses the description that the boulder rings like "the morning when freedom came to the slave." Not only does this bring the characters more into focus as late 1800s African Americans, but brings beauty to their actions.
The story itself teaches that what a person does within their lifetime matters more than how they die. For John Henry, it was making a difference with Ferret-Faced Freddy (or Frederick the Friendly) and helping others who couldn't complete their tasks. With Lester's example of using the sun and moon in mourning along with the onlookers, it shows more of admiration for his lifetime than sadness for his death. Children can learn about making a difference from Henry's example.
Review Excerpt:
The Horn Book-
“The original legend of John Henry has been enhanced and enriched, in Lester's retelling, with wonderful contemporary details and poetic similes that add humor, beauty, and strength."
Connection:
This is one of the best read aloud's offered online of John Henry:
If you're teaching this in class, it would be lovely to play this video while students are reading.
To follow up, you could compare it to this version of the story---not by Lester and Pinkney, however it would be fun to compare the two versions with students and have them pick out the similarities and differences.
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
Micheal L. Printz award Nominee (2022)
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee (2021)
Thomas, A. (2021). Concrete Rose. Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.
ISBN: 9780062846716
Summary:
Maverick Carter slings drugs to help his family with financial issue. His mom works two jobs and his dad is in jail, so the only thing he thinks he can do is run drugs for the King Lord. He thinks everything is going as it should until he finds out that he's a dad. Everything changes for him when he realizes he needs to do whatever he can for his child, but also finish school. He's able to get himself out of the drug life, but not without its struggles. He is, after all, the sone of the King Lord, and escaping that life isn't easy. This prequel to Angie Thomas's "The Hate U Give" is both a story of overcoming adversity and coming of age.
Analysis:
This book is a wonderful back story to "The Hate U Give" (click here to purchase), and a beautiful story of a young African American male growing up in a world that expects him to fail. If you've read "T.H.U.G," then you know that Maverick is Seven and Starr's entrepreneur father, and Thomas uses this book to get to his roots and show the struggle of growing up as normal as possible in 'Garden Heights.'
Wonderfully written, the dialect is very specifically written to display the life of an African American in this neighborhood. The first person POV allows readers to put themselves in the shoes of the main character, experiencing each moment as Maverick experiences and processes it.
After reading textbook explanation of African American children's literature, the critical eye understands that the depiction of Maverick as an average, everyday guy surviving and dealing with issues that happen all the time make him relatable for students. A lot of texts make young African American male characters to be the villain, or a charity case-but Maverick isn't; Maverick is normal. This book is what literary critics and African American author's are crying out for-the Black Voice in a changing America.
Review Excerpt:
The Horn Book-
"Authentic to the point of heartbreak, Maverick’s voice is earnest as he wrestles with his decisions."
Connection:
To teach this with a group of students, a discussion guide may be necessary to help focus the narrative since there are so many great points to be made on this book.
If you want to teach it as a whole class novel, this book trailer may help introduce it:
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Anthony Award Nominee for Best Juvenile / Young Adult (2021)
Agatha Award Nominee for Children's/Young Adult Mystery (2021)
Edgar Award Nominee for Best Juvenile (2021)
Connecticut Book Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2021)
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade & Children's (2020)
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee (2022)
Marks, J. (2020). From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Katherine Tegen Books.
ISBN:978-0062875853
Summary:
12-Year-Old Zoe Washington has a pretty great life, practicing to become worthy of trying out for Food Network's Kids Bake Challenge, having the best birthday party ever, until she realizes that 'everyone lies.' After receiving a letter from her incarcerated birth father, Zoe realizes he's been writing to her for years and her mother hid it from her. When he tells her he's innocent, Zoe sets out, with the help of her maternal grandmother and her next door neighbor/best friend, to find the one person who could prove that her father didn't actually commit murder. Bonding over music and secrecy, Zoe learns about racial injustice in a way that helps young readers understand the world around them.
Analysis:
This book is perfect to introduce young readers to racism and social injustice. Because Zoe's father is African American, and has a public defender that doesn't bother tracking down someone who could prove his innocence, Zoe and readers learn about the failure of a system that happens everyday. These conversations are often hard to have when kids can't identify with it, but Marks' introduction to the topic and Zoe's reactions are perfectly balanced.
The family dynamic, a white stepfather and estranged bio-dad, can be something many students find familiarity within, especially with blended families and step-parents being commonplace in today's society.
Zoe's growing relationship with her biological father blossom in a natural and believable way. He gives her a nickname, and she learns about his musical preferences. Her maternal grandmother helps her continue her secret correspondences with him and sets up a phone conversation for them, which helps the relationship as well.
The wrap-up is a bit too good to be true, a bit unrealistic overall, but the story is long enough to tell a good tale while short enough to keep young readers' interests. It's a definite must read for those looking to introduce diversity in their children's library options.
Review Excerpt:
SLJ-
"This is one of only a small handful of middle grade novels to explore the experience of having a parent in prison, and the subject is handled with grace and sensitivity."
Connections:
Palo Alto City Library offers a read-aloud of the first chapter for First Chapter Friday. If this is something you practice in your ELA classroom or library, this is an alternate way to have the chapter read to students:
If you're looking to use it as a class novel, here is a wonderful discussion guide and linked reading options to pair with the novel:
You Matter by Christian Robinson
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Caldecott and Coretta Scott King author honoree
Robinson, C. (2020). You matter. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 978-1534421691
Summary:
Robinson uses his unique illustrations and short sentences to show children that they matter from several viewpoints. Each viewpoint is linked to the next, and children can spend time exploring these connections through visual cues.
Analysis:
The primary focus of this text is not African American, however the depictions of African American's is beautiful and makes this book part of the emerging "Black Voice in a Changing America." Each of Robinson's African American characters is depicted alongside other races, or in the case of the astronaut, as an intellectual. Robinson places African American's in roles that children can look up to-away from the previous tropes of the impoverished citizen.
The language doesn't have any specific syntax, but is in short, simplistic sentences that circle back to reinforce Robinson's positive message. Children of all races and ages would enjoy this book because of its simplicity.
Review Excerpt:
SLJ-
"Robinson conveys complex themes, hinting at the universality of emotions, while validating the individual emotional journey of young readers. "
Connection:
This is a fun way to have this book read aloud, by the author. Robinson engages readers/viewers, trying make his message simple enough for children to understand:
He also spends the last three minutes with a question and answer style moment.
If you're planning to teach this to young children, here is a lesson guide:
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