Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice

Title: Claudette Colvin, Twice Toward Justice
Author: Phillip Hoose
ISBN: 978-0-374-31322-7
Copyright: 2009

Happy February and welcome to Black History Month.  Since I have really been enjoying the Children's Room biography collection I thought it would be worthwhile to include an excellent older book.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice is one of the best stories about the Civil Rights Movement that most people have never heard before.  All children (and adults) have heard the story of Rosa Parks refusing to get off a city bus.  What if I told you that Claudette Colvin did the SAME thing 9 months before Rosa Parks?  Certainly makes the reader wonder why if Claudette refused to give up her seat on March 2, 1955 we have never heard of her.

In this biography written by Phillip Hoose readers will learn Claudette's story including how after her bus protest she was shunned by her classmates for causing trouble and deemed an unfit role model for the black community.  Phillip Hoose's book is based extensively on interviews with Claudette and other civil rights leaders.  4th-6th graders will love getting to learn more about the Montgomery bus protests as well as how Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks became the leaders that they became.

So there is your educational book for the month.  Check back over the rest of the month to see different chapter books and picture books for Black History Month

P.S.  I hate this book cover - it definitely doesn't make me want to read the book, but please trust me that the story is awesome, and don't judge a book by it's cover!

Queen of the Falls

Title: Queen of the Falls
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
ISBN: 978-0-547-31581-2
Copyright: 2011

Chris Van Allsburgs stunning monochromatic drawings bring to life the story of Annie Edison Taylor, a retired charm school teacher.  As less and less students begin signing up to attend classes at Mrs. Taylors Charm School in Bay City, Michigan, Annie decided that it was time for a change!  Since apparently no one cared about "the correct fork to use at dinner, the usefulness of handkerchiefs, and how to properly waltz," perhaps they would care about action, adventure, danger, and recklessness.

Suddenly an idea came to Annie; she would make a fortune as the first woman to ever go over Niagra Falls in a barrel!  For anyone who hasn't visited Niagra Falls, it is huge!  The falls itself is as tall as a 17 story building and the rushing water draws tourists all year round.

Annie Edison Taylor at sixty two years old is brought to life by Chris Van Allsburg.  Children will be enthralled to follow the story through the images.  As it comes closer to the appointed time for Annie to go over the falls readers will be amazed to discover the true grit and stubbornness that a former charm school teacher can contain.  As person after person tells Annie that she can't possibly survive a trip over the falls Annie grits her teeth, smiles and tells them all that she will see everyone shortly. 

To discover whether or not Annie survives the trip, and whether she manages to become rich off of her adventure you will need to check out Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg.  Plus while you are checking out this book make sure to grab a few other picture book biographies to read at home!

With a Name Like Love

Title:  With a Name Like Love
Author: Tess Hilmo
ISBN: 978-0-374-38465-4
Copyright: 2011

"I'm Olivene Love, oldest daughter of the Reverence Everlasting Love" and this is her story.  Olivene Love is the daughter of a traveling preacher in 1957.  The Loves travel around the countryside preaching the love of God and holding tent revivals.  However, when they roll into Binder, Arkansas Ollie quickly learns that there is something not quite right in this town and she is determined to stay until the mystery is solved. 

With a Name Like Love is a delightful story, part historical fiction, part mystery, and just a hint of love (at thirteen Ollie is trying to figure out the difference between love and friends and which is better to have).  In Binder, Arkansas Ollie quickly learns that a young boys Mama has been put in jail for murdering her husband.  This wouldn't be so strange except the whole town knows that Jimmy Koppels mom is innocent, they just don't want to help her. 

Ollie's family is quickly targeted for trying to help the Koppels and Ollie and her sisters learn real quick what it means to be an outsider.  Ollie doesn't care if the entire town hates her, she is determined to be friends with Jeremy, free his Mama, and make sure that justice rules.  Only once she has done all that will she be willing to move on to their next destination. 

This is the sort of book that leaves a person feeling warm and fuzzy inside, and reminds everyone that their is still hope in this world.  It seems like a perfect book to read to kick off the new year!

Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator

Title:  Hooray For Amanda and Her Alligator
Author:  Mo Willems
ISBN: 978-0-06-200400-0
Copyright: 2011

Mo Willems has created some of the most loved, and unusual picture book hero's in recent times.  He is well known for his Knuffle Bunny books, the Elephant and Piggie easy reader series, Pigeon, and Naked Mole Rat.  Now Mo brings us Amanda and Her Alligator!  What is not to love about an adorable (though lengthy) picture book about an Alligator. 

Don't be alarmed,this book is actually 70 pages long.  Most picture books are only 32 pages...  Luckily for all the parents who will need to read Amanda and Her Alligator out loud to their young children, the story is broken up into 6 1/2 separate tales.  Each tale has a very surprising title such as:

1.  A Surprising Surprise

2.  An Un-Surprising Surprise

2.5.  An Extra Surprise

3.  A Surprising Tickle

Well, I am sure you get the point.  I was sold with the first two pages:

"Amanda was at the library getting her books for the week. 

Her alligator was not.

He was waiting for Amanda to get back.

I do not like it when Amanda is gone, though Alligator. 

I am no good at waiting. 

He paced around the room. 

He fiddled with his tail."

This book is sure to be an instant hit for three reasons. 

1 - it features a thoughtful and intelligent female protagonist (Amanda is at the library after all what could be smarter)

2- It features an Alligator who recognizes his inability to wait (Lets be honest how many alligators or children are capable of waiting)

3-  The Alligator is not only a fun interactive friend, but he also contains surprising value.  (Ha now you will need to read the story to learn Alligators true value.) 

I'm not sure there is anything more that I can say to sell this book.  If you need further proof merely look at the picture below.

The Summer I Learned to Fly

Title:  The Summer I Learned to Fly
Author: Dana Reinhardt
ISBN: 9780385739542
Copyright: 2011

I know that The Summer I Learned to Fly is a summer book, however, sometimes in Maine the winters get too cold, and too dark, and too snowy.  That is precisely why I picked up Dana Reinhardt's book.  I just couldn't resist a new book about summer.  Now I have never actually read a book by Reinhardt, I have read many reviews of her books and they are always described as wonderful and enchanting.  The Summer I Learned to Fly is no exception. 

Drew Robin Solo, who used to be named Robin Drew Solo, until her father died and her mother legally changed her name has turned 13 and is currently living out the summer before eighth grade.  Drew's mother just opened a designer cheese shop in Los Angeles. Drew's friends call her Birdie, and then she meets a boy named Emmett Crane who is everything she has been looking for. 

As if your mom owning a cheese shop isn't weird enough, Birdie also happens to have a Pet Rat named Humboldt Fog, or Hum for short.  Birdie takes Hum everywhere with her in a backpack, to the park, the ocean, the grocery store, and yes even the cheese shop.  Then one day when Hum goes missing, Birdie literally runs into a boy named Emmett who is everything she is looking for in a friend and so much more. 

However, as the summer goes on Birdie learns that she really doesn't know anything about her new friend, and she needs to decide if she is willing to give up everything she knows in order to help him.