Culture 3 - A Birthday Basket for Tia

A. Bibliography
Mora, Pat. 1992. A Birthday Basket for Tia. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0027674002.

B. Plot Summary

"Today is a secret day. I curl my cat in my arms and say, "Ssshh, Chica. Can you keep a secret, silly cat?" Tia is turning 90 and Cecilia, her great-niece, wants to do something special for her favorite great-aunt. She looks around her house for something special to give Aunt Tia while her mother gets ready for a surprise party for Aunt Tia. The entire time Cecilia is looking for a gift, she is with her trusty cat companion Chica. After some time thinking about the perfect gift she finds a basket and creates a wonderful surprise for her great aunt Tia. Cecilia decides to fill the basket with things that she and Aunt Tia do together. The things Cecilia places in the basket are a book, mixing bowl, flower pot, a teacup, a red ball, and fresh picked flowers. When Aunt Tia arrives at her surprise party she is delighted to open the special gift Cecilia has prepared for her.

C. Critical Analysis

This is a heart-warming story about a little girl's love for her great Aunt Tia and how she expresses that love by preparing a special birthday gift for her. You can tell from the text the concern she has for finding the perfect gift for her aunt. "Chica and I walk around the front yard and the backyard looking for a good present. We walk around the house. We look in Mama's room. We look in my closet and my drawers."

This story offers many cultural markers that connect the the story to Hispanic American culture. The setting takes place in Cecilia's home with her family preparing for Aunt Tia's surprise birthday party. Their family's home is filled with color and traditional pieces from the Hispanic American culture. There are colorful fish, a dancing puppet, hand painted furniture, and bright, beautiful flowers. The illustrations are cut paper with dyes and they add to the festive atmosphere of the setting. The illustrations also demonstrate a love for family and caring towards each other which enhance the setting and the characters affection for each other throughout the story. I especially like the way on the first page Cecilia is holding her cat, Chica. Cecilia is also seeing hugging her Aunt Tia and her mother the same gentle way in the story.

Food also plays an important role in Hispanic American culture and this book is filled with traditional fare that is customary to this culture. When Cecilia wakes up and is having breakfast in the kitchen she notices her mother is cutting fruit for the party and smells a pot of beans bubbling on the stove. Cecilia also mentions how much she enjoys making "bizcochos", sugar cookies, with great Aunt Tia. Cecilia and her mother also fills a pinata with candy and her mother prepares small cakes for the party.

When describing the characters in this book they all have light brown skin tones, dark brown or light brown eyes, and brown or black hair, except for Aunt Tia whose hair is silver and worn in a twist on top of her head. All the physical characteristics are culturally authentic to the Hispanic American culture. Along with the character descriptions, the character's names play an important role in the cultural authenticity. The character names in the story are the cat , Chica and Cecilia. The author also uses kinship terms that show emotional closeness between Latino family members. The kinship terms Cecilia uses in the book are Tia and Mama. Another culture marker that plays a significant role in this book is language. Throughout the text, the Spanish language is mingled with English to remind the reader of words that may be familiar to them or introduce new words to readers who are not familiar with the Spanish language. The Spanish words that are mentioned and defined are: noventa anos, bizcochos, hiberbabuena, pinata, que pasa, and Feliz cumpleanos. This sprinkling of Spanish contributes to the books authenticity because it is used appropriately and does not distract or confuse the reader.

A final cultural marker that is important to Hispanic American literature is celebrations. From the beginning, the story is centered around getting ready for Aunt Tia's ninetieth birthday party. This theme of celebration contributes to the authenticity of the story. I also appreciate the way the book incorporates family throughout the book. It focuses on the importance of family and the relationships that are important to young and old alike. This is an enjoyable book for young readers.

D. Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: "Cecilia is excited by the approach of her great-aunt Tia's 90th birthday. The elderly woman has always been a special friend to both the bright-eyed heroine and her cat, Chica. For a gift, Cecilia hits on the idea of a basket filled with all the things that symbolize togetherness with Tia: a bowl for baking cookies, a cup for having tea,flowers for their times outside. Her delight in filling the basket is matched by Tia's as she enjoys the tributes."

Publishers Weekly: "Repetitions of the items inside the basket and the occasional use of Spanish words are helpful reinforcements for young readers. Two cavils: Mora's text tends to go on a bit too long, and the many asides Cecilia addresses to her cat Chica become somewhat intrusive as the story progresses. Lang's cut-paper illustrations provide a vivid picture of a diverse and dynamic Mexican American family. Warm brown skin tones contrast nicely with bold reds, blues and oranges to lend additional Latin flavor."

E. Connections

Look for these other books to explore more about Hispanic American Culture:

Cisneros, Sandra. Hairs / Pelitos. ISBN 0679890076.

Lomas Garza, Carmen. In My Family / En mi familia. ISBN 0892391634.

Mora, Pat. The Rainbow Tulip. ISBN 0027674010.

Soto, Gary. Too Many Tamales. ISBN 0698114124.

Culture 2 - My Man Blue

A. Bibliography:

Grimes, Nikki and Lagarrigue, Jerome. 1999. My Man Blue. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 0803723261.

B. Plot Summary:

Damon and his mom move back to his mother's old neighborhood. Damon does not have a father. Shortly after they move in they meet a man by the name of "Blue." Damon's mom explains that Blue is an old friend from the neighborhood, but in the beginning Damon is skeptical about this "old friend." The poem "When We First Met" describes Damons tentativeness, "I circle, look him up ans down and let him know his grin's not winning points with me. My flashing eyes warn "Do not trespass here, " 'Cause in this family I'm the only man."

Throughout the course of the book Nikki Grimes presents poems that show the growing relationship between Damon and Blue. Damon learns that Blue lost his son to the streets, a choice that Blue regrets because Blue was not there when he needed to be. The reader also understands that Blue wants to help and encourage Damon to make the right choices and be safe. One poem entitled "The Watcher" explains how Blue saves Damon from getting run over when his ball goes into the street. Damon stated: "At times I think Blue's actually some gold-tooth angel, guarding me."

The fourteen poems continue building a strong relationship between the two main characters. Finally, Damon admits that when he grows up he wants to be like Blue, which is the title of the last poem.

C. Critical Analysis:

My Man Blue take readers on a journey through getting to know someone and forming a friendship, including all the fears and doubts that accompany new friendships. The book shares the fears of both Damon and Blue. Damon has a fear of Blue trying to be close to his mother. While Blue has a fear of watching another young child being lost to the streets. Damon has a since in the beginning that Blue is tough and mean, but finds out that he has a story to tell and is really a gentle giant, not a threat. This friendship that is formed is an important theme in African American culture.

Along with friendship, another important theme that is prevalent in the book is the theme of families and their loyalties. Damon is incredibly loyal to his mother and feels the need to protect her and take care of her because that is his role as the man in the house. In the poem "My Own Man" Damon describes this loyalty towards his mother after making her a sandwich when she works late and some neighborhood boys are teasing him. Damon states,"What's the matter with that? And, if I take care of my mom, so what? She takes care of me. Don't be no Mama's boy," kids say, Well, tough. I'm made this way." This commitment towards his mother is evident and also is expressed towards Blue as the poems progress through the book.

Another important theme that is carried out through this book is the everyday rituals and events in life. Blue and Damon do common everyday activities that many children do. For example, the play basketball together and Blue teaches Damon that shooting baskets is more fun that shooting a gun. They also spar and Blue teaches Damon how to "be fit for this world." This mentoring of values that Blue demonstrates for Damon also shows the strength and resilience of African American people and culture, which is another theme that continues throughout this book.

D. Review Excerpts:

School Library Journal: "Lagarrigue debuts with a set of twilit, impressionistic, sparsely populated street scenes in which Blue, with his shaven head and heavy frame, leans hugely but attentively towards his diminutive companion."

Publishers Weekly: "In 14 knowing, heartfelt poems, Grimes invites readers to witness the friendship that blossoms between Damon, an African American boy without a father, and Blue, a tough-looking man who has lost his sons to the streets."

E. Connections:

To learn more about lessons that can be taught using My Man Blue follow the links below:
http://www.nikkigrimes.com/teacher/bluetg.html

http://www.nikkigrimes.com/teacher.bluemip.html

Look for these other books about African American poetry for young people:

Hughes, Langston. The Dream Keeper and Other Poems. ISBN 0679883479.

Greenfield, Eloise. Honey I Love You and Other Love Poems. ISBN 0064430979.

Grimes, Nikki. Meet Danitra Brown. ISBN 0688154719.

Hughes, Langston. Poetry for Young People. ISBN 1402718454.

Culture 2 - Minty

A. Bibliography:

Schroeder, Alan and illustrated by Pinkney, Jerry. 1996. Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 014056196X.

B. Plot Summary:

Minty is a young, eight year-old girl working as a slave on the Brodas plantation in Maryland. She has a mind of her own and has been known to not always come when she is called. The opening page reflects this defiance when the text states, "Minty giggled, and then stuck out her tongue just as far as it could go. I'll come when I'm good and ready, she thought. But she didn't dare day it; not out loud. That would mean a whipping for sure" (Schroeder, 1996).

Minty began working in the house doing chores, but after spilling a pitcher of cider on the table she was moved to the fields to do work. Minty was warned that this would be her last chance or she would be sold down south. During the work in the fields, Minty often dreamed of running away. At one point, she was forced to wade in the river and check the muskrat traps, but she was kind-hearted and released the muskrats if she found them in a trap. She was caught doing this and was beaten. This never stopped her from dreaming about running away. This book demonstrates the power of the human spirit.

C. Critical Analysis:

Minty offers many cultural markers that connect the story to African American culture. Minty is an authentic connection to African American culture because it offers information about slavery as an institution and its impact. The Brodas family represents the effects of racism and the brutality of the treatment of others. Throughout the story Mrs. Brodas mentions giving Minty a whipping. Minty is also a demonstration of the strength and resilience of the African American people and culture along with demonstrating the strength of African American families. Throughout the story when Minty gets in trouble her family is there to take care of her and continue to encourage her. Her father, Old Ben, knows how determined Minty is to run away and he begins teaching her things about the wilderness and survival skills.

Although Minty is the fictional story of a young Harriet Tubman, the reader can feel her determination to get out of her environment and be free. Even though she does not run away by the end of the story, the reader has a since that she will follow her dream and the north star her father told her to always look for. Minty is a book that exemplifies the human spirit. She is beaten, ridiculed, and forced to do work a child should never endure. And all the while the fire of freedom is burning inside her heart. Schroeder and Pickney capture the sheer will and determination of a young girl who through patience, multiple hardships, and perseverance eventually accomplishes her dream of freedom for herself and helped countless others achieve that dream as well. Which contributes to a final cultural marker that Minty exhibits, which is knowing, valuing, and preserving African American history and culture.

D. Review Excerpts:

Publishers Weekly: "This fictionalized account of Tubman's childhood on a Maryland plantation provides a cruel snapshot of life as a slave and the horrid circumstances that fueled the future Underground Railroad leader's passion and determination."

School Library Journal: "This beautifully illustrated and moving fictional story can be used to introduce Harriet Tubman and the injustice of slavery to young audiences. Minty is a spirited child who hides in order to shirk the commands of the temperamental Mrs. Brodas."

E. Connections:

Look for these other books for young people about African American history and culture:

Winter, Jeanette. Follow the Drinking Gourd. ISBN 0679819975.

Edwards, Pamela Duncan. Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad. ISBN 0064435199.

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. ISBN 076851759.

Ringgold, Faith. Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky. ISBN 0517885433.

Culture 2 - Miracle's Boys

A. Biliography:

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. Miracle's Boys. Putman Juvenile. ISBN 0399232237.

B. Plot Summary:

The story is told by thirteen year-old Lafayette. Lafayette lost both of his parents. He lives with his two older brothers, Ty'ree and Charlie. Ty'ree is the oldest and he is the legal guardian for both of his younger brothers. They live in New York City. Charlie has recently returned from a juvenile-detention center. He was caught robbing the local candy store. Charlie has changed since returning from the juvenile-detention center and Lafayette has nicknamed him"New Charlie," but he does not call him this in front of anyone else.

Lafayette struggles with the death of his mother on a daily basis. His mom died as a result of her diabetes. Unfortunately, Lafayette was the only one home and he found her in her bed and tried to get help, but it was too late. He has frequent conversations with his mother regarding the many problems the three boys are facing trying to grow up in New York City without parents. As Lafayette struggles with the loss of his mother, Charlie and Ty'ree are facing their own battles as well. But the main mission of Ty'ree is to keep he and his two bothers together as a family.

C. Critical Analysis:

Miracle's Boys describes in brutal honesty the reality of what might happen to three boys trying to grow up on their own. There are three pivotal themes in African American literature that this book covers: families and their loyalties and obligations to each other, love and its meanings and manifestations, and extraordinary events that cause unlikely heroes (Vardell, 2008).

The first theme families and there loyalties and obligations to each other continue throughout the entire book. Ty'ree gives up his opportunity to attend MIT and becomes the sole supporter of the family when his mother passes away. His dreams for the future are put on hold because of his loyalty and obligation to his younger brothers. Love and its meanings and manifestations is also a theme throughout this book. The love Lafayette has for both his brothers, even though it is a struggle with Charlie, continue to be forefront in his mind. Also, the love he has for his deceased mother is evident throughout the book. Finally, extraordinary events that cause unlikely heroes plays an important role in this when thinking about Ty'ree's character. The scarifies he continues to make to keep his family together is inspiring to anyone who reads this book.

Miracle's Boys has strong three-dimensional characters. It also is a meaningful story that reflects a range of African American values and lifestyles (Vardell, 2008). Interesting enough, the range of values is demonstrated within one family with the three main characters. Miracle's Boys is an honest, interesting book that portrays a family that is determined to stay together in good times and bad.

D. Review Excerpts:

School Library Journal: "This narrative is told through dialogue and Lafayette's introspections so there is not a lot of action, but readers should find this story of tough, self-sufficient young men to be powerful and engaging."

Publisher's Weekly: "As a stabilizing, caring force, oldest brother Ty'ree works hard to hold the family together in the face of great personal sacrifice. Woodson's realistic situations and dialogue are given more resonance via Hill's comfortable delivery. And her message of love and hope winning out shines through loud and clear when Hill rises to the emotional, but never sappy, conclusion."

E. Connections:

Look for these other books regarding a wide variety of family dynamics:

Woodson, Jacqueline. Hush. ISBN 0142406007.

Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. ISBN 0689849230.

Woodson, Jacqueline. If You Come Softly. ISBN 0399231129.

Culture 1 - Hunwick's Egg

A. Bibliography:

Fox, Mem. 2005. Hunwick's Egg. Harcourt. ISBN 0152163182.

B. Plot Summary:

Hunwick is a bandicoot that lives in the desert in Australia. After a storm, he finds an egg and quickly makes a home for it in his burrow. He and his friends anxiously await for the egg to hatch. During his waiting, Hunwick talks to to his new friend telling stories and sometimes sharing his troubles. His friends become worries that the egg will not hatch, but Hunwick takes it in stride and realizes his egg is a round stone and still continues to care for his new friend.

C. Critical Analysis:

Hunwick's Egg is a story that teaches friendship with no boundaries. Even though Hunwick knows in his heart the egg is a beautifully, round stone; he still continues to care for and confide in his new friend. This story shows that friendship, comradery, and having someone to share things with goes across all cultures and boundaries to effect all living things.

The illustrations also lend itself to help portray the Australian dessert in beautiful pastel tones and colors. Hunwick is a combination of a wide-eyed, furry curious rascal with a soft nurturing side that is discovered when he finds the egg. Hunwick's Egg proves love has no boundaries.

D. Review Excerpts:

Library Media Connection: "The simple story about unconditional love and acceptance is sure to become a favorite read-aloud for the preschool and early elementary audience."

School Library Journal: "This slightly offbeat story with a universal message about the power of friendship is accompanied by glowing watercolor pencil illustrations in orange,pink, and violet tones that showcase the flora and fauna of the Australian landscape, adding an interesting element to this charming title. Young readers will appreciate Hunwick's loyalty and may be curious to learn more about the exotic animals portrayed in the lovely artwork."

E. Connections:

Look for other books by Mem Fox that explore the human experience.

Fox, Mem. 1994. Koala Lou. Voyager Books. ISBN 1052000763.

Fox, Mem. 1991. Possum Magic. Voyager Books. ISBN 1052632247.

Fox, Mem. 1989. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge. Kane/Miller Book Publishers. ISBN 091629126x.

Culture 1 - The Breadwinner

Book Review: The Breadwinner

A. Bibliography

Ellis, Deborah. 2001. The Breadwinner. Groundwood Books. ISBN 0-88899-419-2.

B. Plot Summary

Parvana lives in Afghanistan with her father, mother, older sister, younger sister, and younger brother. Her older brother, Hossain, was killed when he was 14 from a land mine. The family lives in a one room apartment. They have moved several times because of the many bombings in Kabul. Parvana and her older sister are no longer able to attend school because of the Taliban's rules toward women and girl. Her father was a professor until he lose his leg in a bombing and was unable to teach. Now, he and Parvana head to the market each day so her father can read and write letters for people who cannot read and write. When her father is arrested by the Taliban, Parvana is the only one who is able to go out and make money for the family to survive. She has to alter her appearance to look like a boy in order for her to move freely around Kabul so she can support her family.

C. Critical Analysis

The Breadwinner is a jolting view of what women and girls endure under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Parvana must change her appearance to look like a boy in order to support her family. She is faced with many difficult challenges and decisions for such a young girl of eleven. Dressed in her dead brother's clothes, pretending to be a distant cousin, Kaseem, she continues her father's work and translates and writes letters for people who cannot read and write, but she knows she needs to make more money. This realization takes her to the next job opportunity which would challenge her physically, but mentally as well. She collects human bones from graveyards, which pays better than translating letters, but also takes a toll on her emotionally.

Parvana as a child is exposed to many things we as adults cannot fathom: war, violence, death, destruction, loss of education, strict rules from imposed rulers, her father being taken away to prison for no apparent reason, sibling rivalry, and depression. Her spirit is strong and unwavering because of the commitment she has towards her family. She exemplifies what it means to be a hero.

D. Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly: 09/19/2001, Vol. 248 Issue 12, p100, 1/4p.

Ellis bases her contemporary novel on refugee stories about the oppressive rule of Afghanistan by the Taliban. Eleven-year-old Parvana must masquerade as a boy to gain access to the outside world and support hew dwindling family. Parvana's brother was killed years earlier by a land mine explosion and, for much of the story, her father imprisoned, leaving only her mother, older sister and two very young siblings. The Taliban laws require women to sheathe themselves fully and ban girls from attending school or going out unescorted; thus, Parvan's disguise provides her a measure of freedom and the means to support her family by providing a reading service for illiterates.

School Library Journal; January 2003, Vol. 49 Issue 1, p84, 1/6p.

Grade 5-8 - Before the Taliban came to Kabul, 11-year-old Parvana's parents worked as teachers. When her father is arrested, she cuts her hair, dons her deceased brother's clothes, and goes to work, in her father's place. With the freedom granted only to males, Parvana earns money to keep her mother and siblings alive. The family's determination to remain faithful to their beliefs while struggling to survive under a repressive regime give this novel its power.

E. Connections

Ellis, Deborah. 2002. Parvana's Journey. Groundwood Books.

ISBN 0-88899-514-8.

The Breadwinner Extension Activities/Websites:

http://web1.caryacademy.org/facultywebs/delia_decourcy/7th%20grade%20English/Breadwinner/breadwinnermain.htm

http://hawaii.edu/hga/GeoMatters/hstapresent/Breadwinner/Breadwinner.htm

Culture 1: International Literature - The Shadows of Ghadames

Book Review:

The Shadows of Ghadames

A. Bibliography

Stolz, Joelle. The Shadows of Ghadames. 2004. Delacorte. ISBN 0-385-73104-3

B. Plot Summary

Malika is a young girl on the verge of becoming a young woman. She is struggling with the customs of her homeland and learning new things from the women in her life, especially when a mysterious stranger shows up one night. As she learns more about the stranger she also starts to achieve a goal she has longed for her whole life.

C. Critical Analysis

This book is an adventure of the mind, soul, and spirit. It introduces the reader to a culture and a city, Ghadames in southern Lybia. It touches on many subjects: the cultural roles men and women play during this time and place, customs and rituals, feelings of being trapped by a culture that place limits on women, multiple marriages, fear, boldness, and finally the struggles of adolescence.

The Shadows of Ghadames is captivating and eye-opening regarding a culture that I never knew existed. Although it is a fiction story, it is based on a real city and a culture that has long since changed.

D. Book Excerpt

Book Links. Mar2005, Vol. 14 Issue 4, p28-28, 1/3p

Gr. 6-10. In the Libyan city of Ghadames at the end of the nineteenth century, Malika is dreading her twelfth birthday. That is the time when. according to her family's Berber customs, she will be close to marriageable age and confined to the world of women. In Ghadames that means restricted to the rooftops, "a city above the city, an open, sunny town for women only, where...they never talk to men." Malika longs to live beyond the segregated city and travel, like her father a trader. But the wider world comes to Malika after her father's tow wives agree to harbor, in secret, a wounded stranger. The story of an outsider who unsettles a household and helps a young person to grow is certainly nothing new, and some are purposeful. But Stolz invigorates her tale with elegant prose and a deft portrayal of a girl verging on adolescence. The vivid backdrop is intoxicating, but the story's universal concerns about adult customs, and a growing interest in a world beyond family. - Gillian Engberg

E. Connections

Marston, Elsa. 2005. Figs and Fate: Stories About Growing Up in the Arab World Today. ISBN 0-8076-1554-4.

Osborn, Mary Pope. 2005. Season of the Sandstorms. ISBN 0-375-83031-6.

Temple Frances. 1995. The Ramsay Scallop. ISBN 0-064-40601-6.