Philbrick, W. R. (2014). Zane and the hurricane: A story of Katrina. Houston, TX: The Blue Sky Press. For Ages: 10-14

Personal Response: This book is a true page turner. It depicts a 12 year old boy who gets caught by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans while visiting his grandmother for the first time. The boy, Zane has many adventures with his new friends (Mr. Tru and Malvina) that rescued him. The story was particularly interesting to me because I lived through this hurricane and experienced Hurricane Rita two weeks after Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans. So, we all have our personal stories and Zane's story is a colorful one. And his new friends each had stories of their own as well. 

Literary Response: The setting of the story is so horribly vivid. I can feel Zane's anxiety as he chased after his dog Bandy, as he saw the water rising in his grandmother's house and when he felt that he would never see his mother again. I can understand why his old grandmother did not chase after him when he was lost on the highway. This historically fictitious book conjured up memories that I had suppressed. But as I read, I experienced the tragedy all over again - only this time I saw things through Zane's eyes and through his story. 

Firebird

Copeland, M., & Myers, C. (2014). Firebird: Ballerina Misty Copeland shows a young girl how to dance like the firebird. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. For Ages:  6-8

Personal Response: Prima Ballerina, Misty Copeland writes a dynamic children's book about what it takes to make it a ballerina. All of her hard work and efforts that she puts in as being a ballerina is now known to aspiring ballerinas all over the world. Her story of perseverance is not only inspires young dancers, but could inspire any young child looking to achieve some type of goal. The illustrator uses vibrant and detailed paintings to help bring her story to life. 

Literary Response: Misty Copeland's character is successful at let her story be known. She was not  "supposed" to be successful in her passion because she did not "fit" 

the profile of the typical ballerina. But against all odds, Misty surpassed all expectations and biases that threatened to hold her back from living her dream. 

Brown Girl Dreaming

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. New York, NY: Nancy Paulsen Books. For Ages: 10-13 

Personal Response: This book is a touching memoir of the author's experience growing up as a young girl. Each poem is very heartfelt and compelling. Jacqueline Woodson offers some insight into her life and her feelings about what she going through at the time. Other African American women can relate and in some cases empathize with Woodson's experiences. This is also a book that young black girls could also relate to.

Literary Response:  Woodson explains her story of poems by depicting the environment in which she was raised. This was the setting in which her story takes place. She told stories of being in New York with family and being in the South with her family. Due to the times in which she grew up, she experienced significant differences within each setting.  

Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing

Angel, A. (2010). Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing. New York, NY:  Amulet. This book chronicles the life, obstacles and music career of Janis Joplin. The book is divided into 10 different chapters that highlight specific times in her life. The heartfelt Introduction was written by Sam Andrew, who says she was his best friend. Chapters include: “Spreading Her Wings”, this chapter gives details about Janis’ demeanor in High School compared to her fellow classmates’. “Out of Port Arthur” tells of Janis’ desire to leave her hometown of Port Arthur, TX. She didn’t feel like she fit in with the norms of the small town. “Looking for Love” tells of how she starved for affection and acceptance. “Pearl” goes on to tell of Janis returning to Port Arthur for her High School reunion, again being rejected by her peers. The book includes a Time Line of her life, notes of each chapter, acknowledgements and an index. This book would be appropriate for High School students. History or Music teachers could use this book as a part of a history lesson. The major strengths of the book include the Time Line and Notes of each chapter. Students could easily refer to these sections to gather specific information. One lesson that students may learn is to not look to others for approval. This book could also help students with their Emotional Development. Some students could be able to identify with Janis and some of the struggles she experienced as a young adult.

The Dog Who Loved Tortillas

Saenz, B. (2009). The Dog Who Loved Tortillas. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press. Sophie is the new dog of siblings, Little Diego and Gabriela. The siblings both longed to have a dog all their own and did not have intentions of sharing a dog before they got one. Mr. Dominguez, their father said if they did not share a dog, they would get no dog at all. The siblings did not like this but reluctantly agreed. After they realized that Sophie likes tortillas, the dog became known throughout the neighborhood for loving tortillas. Soon, Sophie becomes ill and the siblings are heartbroken over the dog’s illness. But her illness helps to make the siblings become closer as they both mourn over the possible chance that they may lose their dog. Once Sophie is all better, the siblings both love, cherish and share the dog. Although this book is intended for children in grades Kindergarten – 3^rd grade, English speaking students may not understand the Spanish in the book until they have taken it in Middle School or a higher grade.  However, the story is translated in English throughout the book so younger children or non-Spanish speakers are able to enjoy it independently. I personally like the author’s style in this aspect. A Spanish teacher could use this book in a lesson for Beginning Spanish classes. The story meets the criteria of emotional development. The way the siblings come together after their dog is sick shows emotional growth and maturity.

Code Named Verity

Wein, Elizabeth. (2012). Code Named Verity. New York, NY: Egmont. Lady Julia Lindsay MacKenzie Wallace Beaufort-Stuart’s code name is Verity. She is more commonly called Julie. Julie is a spy and an officer in the military. During a covert operation, Julie’s best friend Maddie is the pilot who attempts to fly her to a Nazi camp so that she could ultimately destroy their operation. But antiaircrafts fired at them causing the friends to be separated, as Julie parachutes from the plane and Maddie lands harshly. Julie is captured by Nazi who order her to write down secrets that she knows as they torture other captured people. Julie knows that she too will be tortured.  Maddie is able to safely hide in a barn of a French family after the separation but soon hears of her friend’s dilemma. As an act of love and friendship, Maddie has to eventually end Julie’s life to save her from divulging important information to Nazi. In the end, Maddie is able to carry out the original, planned operation of destroying the Nazi operation. This book is intended for students ages 14-17. Teachers could use this book after a lesson about the Holocaust. Although this book is fiction, the premises behind the story and the historical events are real. The story meets the criteria for style development. The story is told from the perspectives of the two friends. Both are sharing their own experience of the events of the story, giving a complete and vivid depiction.

Parish,  H. (2012). Amelia Bedelia’s First Vote. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. Children’s  Choices, 2013. For Ages: 4-8.
Personal Response: I love this book! It was different for me reading this book that portrays the main character as a child, as the Amelia Bedelia series of books that I’ve read in the past, were of a naïve older maid. However, in this particular book, she is portrayed as a child with the same innocence as the older character. Like in the older books, Amelia Bedelia’s series of misunderstandings is what makes the story funny. This story is indicative of most children. I can’t help but to be reminded of my own childhood and my journey to more sophisticated thought processes.
Literary Response: Amelia Bedelia’s character is an important element in this story. The story thrives on Amelia’s misunderstandings and the fact that she takes literally the figures of speech that she encounters throughout the story. She is a simple but confident girl who stands strong in her convictions.  She does not understand many things and doesn’t even realize that there is anything that she does not understand. This naivete is what makes the story humorous and causes the reader to fall in love with Amelia Bedelia and her comical personality.