Neighborhood Odes

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In this short book of poems Gary Soto paints a picture of a Mexican neighborhood. Each poem is filled with imagery, bringing the reader straight into the neighborhood. The poems are about things like the snacks that children like to eat, what mothers are doing while the children are playing, and how wedding ceremonies go. Some of the poems are illustrated with large, page filling black pictures, showing the reader what is in the poem.

This is a book where children of this culture can see themselves in the poems. This book depicts daily life in the Hispanic culture, such as a mother rolling out tortillas, children sneaking Chicharrones for a quick salty snack, and descriptions of folk tales told to children. Readers that are unfamiliar with this culture can see the markers within this book and begin to recognize what is important to this culture and what makes this culture unique.

An activity that could go along with this book could be for students to write poems about their neighborhood and/or culture. Then they could share their poems with the class and share about their cultures with the class. When all the children have shared their poems the poems could be put together into a book so that the students can look back at their work and the work of their classmates and gain some understanding of their peer's cultures.

This book was reviewed by School Library Journal, an excerpt of the review follows:

Through Soto's keen eyes, they see, and will be convinced, that there is poetry in everything. The odes celebrate weddings, the anticipation of fireworks, pets, grandparents, tortillas, and the library. Although Soto is dealing with a Chicano neighborhood, the poetry has a universal appeal. A minor drawback is that the Spanish words are not translated on the page, but in a glossary; to consult it interrupts the reading. Still, children will surely recognize the joy, love, fear, excitement, and adventure Soto brings to life. Black-and-white illustrations blend well with the astute verbal imagery. Each selection is an expression of joy and wonder at life's daily pleasures and mysteries. --Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Citation: 

Soto, G. (1992). NEIGHBORHOOD ODES. Ill. by David Diaz. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc.

Listen to the Desert/Oye al desierto

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This short picture book highlights common desert animals, as well as the sounds they make. Each phrase is repeated once in English then twice in Spanish. All of the illustrations are in a wonderful style that clearly represents the animals as well as their surroundings. 

This story highlights the Hispanic culture by introducing Spanish at an early age to young children through an easy book with repeating phrases. 

A connecting activity that can be done with this book could be for students to create a book of their own that includes animals from either their area or their culture. Students could use a similar phrase to introduce the animals on their pages. 


This book was reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, an excerpt of the review follows:

A rhythmic, lyrical bilingual chant suggesting the onomatopoeic powers of both tongues. Owl, dove, toad, snake, fish, mice, and rain complete a roster, supplemented by spreads whose pleasingly spare designs feature handsomely stylized figures beneath a mellow sky. A brightly decorative geometric motif runs through the pages to tie it all together. An attractive book for introducing the desert- -and a second language--to young children. (Picture book. 2-7) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Citation: 

Mora, P. (1994). LISTEN TO THE DESERT/OYE AL DESIERTO. Ill. by Francisco X. Mora. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Love that Dog

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The simplicity of the story will appeal to many readers. Also, students who enjoy reading poems, books with animals, and books about self-discovery will enjoy this . Students that I know enjoy reading books about animals will love this book. This book is interestingly written using poems and the young boy within the story learns more about himself than he knew. Sometimes all people need is a push in the right direction and the main character Jack receives this push from his teacher. This book, with its clever title, creatively tells the story of a boy who thinks that he is not good at anything, but through the subtle push of his teacher he understands that he does have something to add and he is a talented boy.

Resources

Creech, S. (2001). Love that dog. New York, NY: Joanna Cotler Books.

Love that dog. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Love-That-Dog-Sharon-Creech/dp/0064409597/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449291733&sr=1-1&keywords=love+that+dog

The Surrender Tree

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The story of Cuban history is a very interesting one. Author Margarita Engle tells this interesting story through poetry. As the beginning of the book lets the reader know, this author’s grandparents were a part of this struggle. Readers will enjoy learning about this not so well known part of history. These poems are very well written and are eye opening. These poems are all of their own style. The reader can definitely see the author’s pride in her people, pride in their story, and her style.

Resources

Engle, M. (2008). The surrender tree : Poems of cuba's struggle for freedom. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

The surrender tree: Poems of cuba's struggle for freedom. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Tree-Poems-Struggle-Freedom/dp/0312608713/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1449284236&sr=1-1

The Blacker the Berry

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This book of poems contains beautifully drawn pictures with realistic characters. Readers will enjoy reading these poems show readers how important the color black is. Readers will also enjoy reading these poems that beautifully illustrate African American pride and heritage. Unlike some of the other stories about African American heritage this story celebrates what makes this culture great and does not dwell on any negatives. Readers will love looking at these pictures and reading these beautiful poems.

Resources

The blacker the berry. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Blacker-Notable-Childrens-Books-Readers/dp/0060253754/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449261160&sr=1-2&keywords=the+blacker+the+berry

Thomas, J. C. (2008). The blacker the berry. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books.

My People

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Langston Hughes is a very talented writer and many people love his work and have loved his work for many years. Talented photographer Charles R. Smith Jr. has taken Hughes poem about his people and has taken photographs to illustrate this wonderful piece of writing. In this book readers will see, through beautiful pictures and writing, the wonderful African American culture. The pictures include people ranging from young children to older adults and elders. The words of the poem are all in different sizes and fonts bringing the eyes of readers to certain parts of the poem.

Resources

Hughes, L., & Smith Jr., C. R. (2009). My people. New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

My people. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/People-Coretta-Scott-King-Award/dp/1416935401/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449259442&sr=1-1&keywords=my+people

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

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Throughout this interesting historical fiction selection the author’s unique style is noticeably present. As the reader learns about the different aspects of medieval life they are hearing from different classes of people so that the whole picture is apparent. Each person's unique story is played out through verse. The theme of this story is creatively written through interwoven stories. The reader learns about how each of the social classes are connected to one another as well as the feelings between the different people of the time. Even though this selection is told in verse and through the lives of people there are some informational sections within the passage, as footnotes, to provide necessary background information for the reader to better understand the selection, as well as whole informational passage to give interesting background information about different aspects and facts of medieval life and times. Creatively written this historical fiction provides more than style and entertainment, readers will learn a great deal about medieval life as well.

References

Good masters! sweet ladies! Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Good-Masters-Sweet-Ladies-Medieval/dp/0763650943/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449156241&sr=1-1&keywords=good+master+sweet+ladies

Slitz, A. (2007). Good masters! sweet ladies! : Voices from a medieval village. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.