O Hanukkah, O Hanukkah!

Posted on 11/28/2010

The holiday of lights is here
Good friends and happiness to share
Sweets with honey for us to eat
Candles to light and friends to greet

excerpt from ” Ocho Candelikas,” a Hanukkah song of the Sephardic Jewish tradition

In honor of Hanukkah, which begins in just a few days, the ReaderKidZ have collected a few favorites to add to your holiday reading list. Some are light-hearted, others, more serious. We hope you’ll find a new treasure among them. Enjoy.

HANUKKAH HAIKU by Harriet Ziefert, paintings by Karla Gudeon

Hanukkah Haiku is stunning, not only for the bright colorful art and overall book design, but also for the beautiful text, one poem to celebrate each new evening’s lit candle. The final double-page spread features some of the Hebrew and English blessings recited while lighting the candles.

THE CHANUKKAH GUEST by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Giora Carmi

As 97-year old Bubba Brayna prepares the last potato latke for her soon-to-arrive guests, a surprise visitor knocks – or rather, thumps – on her door.  Because she’s getting on in years and her eyes and ears are not as sharp as they used to be, Bubba Brayna doesn’t realize that the guest who lumbers into her home grumbling and rrrumphing is not the rabbi she expected, but instead Old Bear, who’d followed the delicious smells to Bubba Brayna’s cozy home.

This book, published over ten years ago, is still a favorite classroom read-aloud each year.

ONE YELLOW DAFFODIL: A Hanukkah Story by David A. Adler , illustrated by Lloyd Bloom

A tender story about an older man, Morris, who rediscovers the blessing of friendship when two children, Ilana and Jonathan, invite him to spend the second evening of Hanukkah with their family.

While there, Morris begins to think back to the Hanukkahs he celebrated as a small boy in Poland. When he returns home later that evening, Morris searches his closet for the old box that holds a few items from his childhood: a metal cup, a torn shirt, a child’s hat, and an old menorah. He recalls an earlier time, years previous, when a “small yellow flower, a daffodil” bloomed just outside his barracks. Under the circumstances in which Morris lived at that time, the daffodil became for him a symbol of hope.

Ilana and Jonathan’s invitation to celebrate Hanukkah with their family sparks, as the daffodil had so many years before, a glimmer of hope as Morris, once again, rekindles some of the fond memories of his childhood.

ON HANUKKAH by Cathy Goldberg Fishman, illustrated by Melanie W. Hall

“It is the evening before the twenty-fifth day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. It is time for the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.” So begins the account of one family’s Hanukkah celebration.

Seamlessly weaving historical background into the narrative, Fishman leaves readers feeling very much a part of this family’s celebrations. The warmth of the holiday, the joy of being together, and the inspirational significance of this historic event will resonate with readers.

HANUKKAH AT VALLEY FORGE by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Greg Harlin

From the Author’s Note: “This story of George Washington and Hanukkah is based on facts…It is know that in December 1778, Washington had lunch at the home of Michael Hart, a Jewish merchant in Easton, Pennsylvania… when Hart began to explain the holiday to the general, Washington… told the merchant and his family of meeting the Polish soldier at Valley Forge the year before.

HANUKKAH AT VALLEY FORGE is the story of this seemingly small historical anecdote, imagined and fictionalized by author, Stephen Krensky, into events as they might have taken place. Powerfully told, it presents the story of the Maccabees and the candles that blazed for eight days in a new and engaging way.

THE HANUKKAH MICE by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Michelle Shapiro

While the Mr. Silman lifts the shammes, says the prayers, and lights the first candle of Hanukkah, a family of kind mice watch and wait nearby. As young Rachel Silman admires her first Hanukkah gift, the mice share her excitement – the dollhouse is just their size!

Each day of Hanukkah brings Rachel another small treasure for the dollhouse – a wingback chair with a matching stool, little plates just right for tiny latkes, and more. As Rachel opens each new gift, the mice family delights to find that they, too, are mysteriously being included in the Hanukkah festivities.

Younger readers will especially enjoy the bright, lively illustrations and the delightful story that accompany them.

Families: A Reason to be Thankful

Posted on 11/21/2010

Families stick together through thick and thin. This week’s Book Room selections look at some of those families. Close together or separated by miles, families are one of many reasons to give thanks, this – and every – week of the year.

THE CIRCUIT by Francisco Jiménez

As a small child traveling with his family from the village of Tlaquepaque, Mexico to the fields of Central California, Francisco Jiménez, along with his siblings and parents, dreamed of a better life in America.

THE CIRCUIT offers a peek into this new life and the day-in, day-out existence of many who, like Jiménez’s family, followed the crops from harvest to harvest – one month, grapes, another, strawberries or cotton. Whatever work could be found, Francisco and his family pulled together to ensure food was on the table and the family, happy.

In a commentary she wrote for the Riverbank Review, Julie Landsman pinpoints why this book is so powerful: “Without sentimentality or melodrama, but rather with the simple power and grace of a fine storyteller, Jiménez is able to convince us of the narrator’s authenticity, his good-heartedness, and the good-heartedness of his family.  We like him immensely and do not feel pity for him because he does not seem to feel pity for himself.”

TORTILLA SUN by Jennifer Cervantes

Magic, mystery, and one family’s secrets come together in this middle grade novel about a young girl, Izzy, who spends a summer away in the small New Mexico village that was once home to her mother, and the father she never knew.

Her father’s untimely death shortly before Izzy was born had always been the source of many questions, but all that’s about to change. Izzy’s found a baseball with the words “Because… magic” written between the seams. Could her father have written those words? And what do they mean?

Soon afterwards, Izzy’s mother announces she’s made plans for Izzy to spend the summer with the grandmother she barely knows. Before long, Izzy’s on her way to New Mexico, where the real magic begins.

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH/Del Norte al Sur by Rene Colato Laínez, illustrated by Joe Cepeda

There are many reasons a child might find himself separated from family, and FROM NORTH TO SOUTH takes a one look of these: the San Diego/ Tijuana border that keeps young José apart from his mamá.

Inspired by the accounts of students in his class, Laínez writes from the perspective of a young boy, born in the United States, whose Mexican-born mamá, is suddenly deported to Tijuana, where she must wait in a home called the Centro Madre Assunta until her papers are processed and her case, resolved.

With compassion and sensitivity, Lainez writes with a heart that knows exactly what some children need to hear.

RICKSHAW GIRL by Mitali Perkins

Naima is getting older and that means that she’ll soon outgrow the things that her younger sister Rashida is still able to do – speak with the boy next door, Saleem, wear a salwar kameez, go to school.

As if that weren’t enough, Naima’s father’s rickshaw business isn’t going well. He struggles to earn the money needed to repay what he owes for the new rickshaw he’s purchased and Naima’s worried that he’ll be forced to sell the golden bangles that have been in the family for generations.

In Bangladesh, at that time, “all that a girl could do was cook, clean, wash clothes, and decorate; she wasn’t allowed to do any work that brought in money.”

Naima’s frustrated. She’s known for the beautiful traditional patterns she creates, but painting alpanas won’t remedy the need for cash.

While considering whether to disguise herself as a boy in order to help her father, Naima takes the rickshaw for a spin. When it veers out of control, scratching the beautiful paintings that grace its tin sides, Naima almost loses hope. Will she ever find a way to repair the damage she’s done and make things new again?

THE RELATIVES CAME by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Stephen Gammell.

The relatives come all the way from Virginia, and when they arrive it’s “hugging time” and finally a big supper, and quiet “talk in twos and threes through the house.”

In one of the most beautiful lines of the book, Rylant writes, “It was different, going to sleep with all that new breathing in the house.”

This classic story of family is one for any time of the year.

GRACIAS, THANKS by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra

This Pura Belpré Honor Book is a “song” of thanks for the many ordinary and not so ordinary things in the life of one child.

With words in English and Spanish, this is a book to enjoy again and again. And then, as author Pat Mora suggests, “Keep the circle of giving thanks, growing.

What are you thankful for this year?

RICKSHAW GIRL by Mitali Perkins

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Click here to walk in Naima’s world by downloading the .pdf version of the Discussion Guide especially created to compliment Rickshaw Girl. In doing so, learn about the economic complexities of Naima’s life in Bangladesh. Engage in vibrant topics for discussion. Create artistic crafts such as creating alpanas out of chalk, salt, rice, or salt. Delve into lessons in economics, social studies, geography,  world cultures…and so much more.

THE CIRCUIT by Francisco Jimenez

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Incorporate Francisco Jimenez’s timeless book into your classroom activities by accessing this on-line study guide especially created to compliment his work. Components of the guide are pre-reading and discussion questions.

Click here to access the on-line study guide for The Circuit

In addition click here to enjoy a mini-documentary movie, 2 book-reading movies (one in English, one Spanish), an in-depth written interview, a movie transcript, an informative bibliography, and links for further information from TeachingBooks.net.

Welcome Special Guest, Bethany Hegedus

Posted on 11/13/2010

Maebelle T. Earl is one distraught eleven-year-old.  Not only is she the daughter of brilliant book-touring family therapists, but she’s flunked out of the Gifted & Talented program at her school and is being forced to spend the summer with her ten-year-old, newly adopted, trumpet-playing prodigy cousin, Isaac and her beloved, quirky, and musically-gifted grandparents in their antebellum home in Tweedle, Georgia.

Determined to become smart enough to return to the G & T program, Maebelle maintains a ‘Little Known Fact’ journal, which eventually is useful in solving a centuries’ old mystery involving the Underground Railroad, slavery quilt codes, and her own family’s ancient family secrets.

Truth With a Capital T is a poignant novel that explores themes of racial injustice and redemption through the eyes of an inquisitive girl in search of her own self-worth. Hegedus’ lively voice deftly considers the social and emotional complexities facing any middle-grade child, while approaching issues of historical harshness with great thoughtfulness, and with a love that transcends the test of time.

Read Bethany’s Story HERE.

Visit the Tool Box, HERE, to access the Teacher’s Guide for Truth with a Capital T.

For more about Bethany, visit her website HERE.

Bethany’s Story

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I was born in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Bolingbrook is a suburb of Chicago and is now considered a big town but when I was a kid, Bolingbrook was nothing but cornfields. Oh, and there was a creek. I loved the creek. My brother and I would play there almost every day afterschool. He and his friends would play “War” and me and my friends would play “Little House on the Prairie.” Somehow, even though we girls didn’t like the boys and the boys didn’t like us girls, we always would end up running through the scrubby brush, chasing one another, and dodging crab apples as we played tag.

When I was twelve going on thirteen my family moved to Evans, Georgia. It was a big move. I missed Bolingbrook and my friends. I missed going to school with kids I knew my whole entire life, but eventually I grew to love Georgia.

Now that I am older, I’ve lived in lots of places: Phoenix, Arizona; Cherry Point, North Carolina; New York City, New York; and now Austin, Texas but Illinois (The Land of Lincoln) and Georgia (the home of the Georgia Peach) will always be home to me.

  • Did you have any bad or funny habits as a child?

Okay, this is really gross and I can’t believe I am admitting it…but I always had long nails. They grow naturally. I never filed them (I still don’t) and when one of them broke off…I used to save them in a jar on my dresser. I wanted to glue them back on like Lee Press on nails, which were popular when I was a kid. I never did though.

Pretty weird, huh?

  • Any defining moments (good or bad) that shaped you as a child?

When I was in 2nd grade my elementary school burnt to the ground. It happened on the last day of winter break. I was devastated. I loved school and I loved my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Sullivan. School was out for an additional week or two, while the school board figured out what to do. It was going to take over a year to rebuild Oak View Elementary! Well, the school board and the parents made a plan. We had split days for the rest of the year—the kids at North View Elementary went in the mornings and then the kids from Oak View went to their school and used their classrooms in the afternoon. I was sad about my school burning down but I loved watching Lost in Space with my big brother, Joe, every day over our grilled cheese lunches. After Lost in Space, my mom would bundle us up in our snowsuits and off the three of us would go, headed off to go to school from 1pm to 6pm.

  • Did you play an instrument?  Which one(s)?

I played the cornet—which is similar to the trumpet, which Isaac, in Truth plays. The difference between the trumpet and the cornet has to do with the width of the cylindrical bore on each instrument. What’s a cylindrical bore? You got me! Let’s ask Maebelle—maybe it’s in her Little Known Facts book.

  • What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be the first female President of the United States of America or I wanted to own the first female football league. Once I read about the suffragists and how women had fought for the right to vote, I wanted to be the first female anything!

  • What one thing can you tell readers that nobody knows?

Maebelle is named after my grandma, Anna Mae, who went by Mae and my mom, whose maiden name is Bell. (My mom is short just like I am, and when she was in elementary school the kids called her Tinker Bell, since she was so tiny!)

  • Favorite pastime as a child?

I loved to play Running Bases! The high school guys down the street would play catch and me and my friends would play running bases, running between them, whether they wanted us to or not.

  • If you weren’t a writer, what would you like to be?

If I weren’t a writer, I’d be a singer. Well, I’d like to be a singer but like Maebelle I am not really musical. My voice kind of sounds like cats screeching or nails on a chalkboard, and it’s not a pretty sound. But, if I could sing—if I had a beautiful voice like Granny does—that’s what I’d want to do.

  • Do you listen to music while you write, or do you like silence?

Nope. No music for me. Now that I live in Texas, I sometimes write in a café  or coffee shop with friends. I used to write in an office (in a high rise building in New York City that overlooked the Brooklyn Bridge) on my lunch hour, but other than the sound of people talking or high heels ping-pinging on a polished floor I need quiet.

  • How many times do you have to revise? Do you love revision or hate it?

I revise a lot and I mean A LOT. I revise and revise and revise. I both love it and hate it. What I love about revision is I can shape and play and try, try, again. With writing, what you first put down on the page isn’t supposed to be perfect. I like that. Nothing I ever do, or attempt to do, is perfect the first time around. Most days, revision makes me feel good. But, then there are the days, where no matter what I write I don’t like it. I feel like I am forcing a square into a triangle shaped hole. I try and try and try and the more I try, the worse the writing is. When that happens, I breathe. I count to ten and I trust that if I hit save and close the document I am working on, that when I come back to it—tomorrow or the next day—things will be better. The writing will be easier. The answer to whatever problem I am having will somehow, someway solve itself. Sometimes, that happens and sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, writing to me is magic, and I like having a little magic in my life.

  • How long does it take you to write your books?

It takes me a long time to write my books. Truth with a Capital T took seven years from idea to hitting the bookshelves and Between Us Baxters took eight years. It’s a good thing I am patient. That’s a long, long time!

But, the one good thing about waiting that long to see a book come out, that when it does, that the characters I’ve created no longer feel like mine. They are outside of me now—there in between the covers of a book—and they feel like old friends. And, I love introducing them to young readers.

  • Do you have any children or pets and have you ever used them in a book?

Cotton, the basset hound, in Truth with a Capital T isn’t the dog I had growing up but he reminds me of my childhood dog, Benji. Benji was a mutt and always there for me. I don’t know how Benji did it but he always made me feel better about life. That is, when I wasn’t wiping his slobber off my cheek when Benji went in for a kiss. Ewww!

Quick Picks:

  • P & J or Mac and Cheese?

Mac and Cheese!  Totally!

  • Dog, Cat, Bird, or Fish?

Dog! Or cat. Dog! Or Cat. A dog-cat, now that would be cool.

  • Favorite or least favorite vegetable?

Least favorite—brussel sprout. Most favorite—broccoli.

  • Early Bird Writer or Night Owl?

Early bird. I often wake up before my alarm clock goes off!

Download a copy of Bethany’s Story HERE.

Read “Your Friend, Bethany Hegedus (A Letter to Readers)” HERE.

Visit the Tool Box, HERE, to access the Teacher’s Guide for Truth with a Capital T.

For more about Bethany, visit her website HERE.