In 1965, before African-Americans had the right to vote, hearing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak inspires Sheyann to join the civil rights movement. She leads activists in singing freedom songs at meetings and protest marches. This story is based on the real-life childhood experiences of Sheyann Webb.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 6/29/2011

ISBN-10: 0439568552

ISBN-13: 9780439568555

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This book takes the reader back to ancient Korea-- to the world of Korean potters, who made vases, pots, boxes, and other pieces out of clay and heated them in a kiln with a special celadon glaze. Tree-Ear is a homeless orphan, whose favorite activity is to watch one of the master potters in the village use his wheel to create something out a blob of clay. When Tree-Ear accidentally breaks one of Min's pieces, he begins to work for the potter to pay off the damage. Although the gruff Min, who is a perfectionist, never displays anything but disapproval at Tree-Ear's work, he allows him to continue on after he's paid off his debt, but never allows Tree-Ear near the potter's wheel. Still, Tree-Ear's dream is to make pottery of his own someday. His quest leads him down unexpected paths, where the course of one's life can be determined by a single celadon shard. This is the winner of the 2002 Newbery Medal.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0440418518

ISBN-13: 9780440418511

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Coming home one night, a young man is kidnapped, a large bag is thrown over his body, and he is tossed on a ship headed out to sea. Naturally he's scared, and angry, when he learns the voyage will last for 4 months. His fear and anger double when he finds out that the ship he is on is a slaver, headed to Africa, and his job on board will be to 'dance the slaves' brought on board so their bodies will stay strong, and, more importantly, profitable. This book is an ocean adventure, a historical novel, a tale of suspense, and survival set during one of our nation's darkest times in history. This is the winner of the 1974 Newbery Medal.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0027355608

ISBN-13: 9780027355604

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In the story, So Far From the Sea, Eve Bunting uses the emotions and wisdom of Laura Iwasaki to gently and simply tell the story of the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Through the unique use of black and white illustrations to depict the past and colored drawings to illustrate the present, we are told the story of Laura's family. As she gingerly walks through the deserted Manzanar Relocation Camp, Laura explains to us how her grandfather, father, and mother were taken from their homes after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and kept behind barbed wire to 'protect America'. She attempts to share with us her feelings and those of her family as they visit the grave of her grandfather. Laura's family will soon be moving to Massachusetts, so she must make one last visit to say good-bye to a grandfather she has never met. She tells us of her sorrow at having to leave behind her grandfather, 'a true American', who will be forever, 'so far from the sea' that he loved.

Similar authors: Ken Mochizuki; Suzanne Lieurance; Michael L. Cooper

Similar books: Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki; Remembering Manzanar: Life in a Japanese Relocation Camp by Michael L. Cooper; The Lucky Baseball: My Story in a Japanese American Internment Camp

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 6/24/2011

ISBN-10: 0395720958

ISBN-13: 9780395720950

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'Sojourner Truth, Path to Glory' written by Peter Merchant is a young reader's first introduction to the freedom fighter, Sojourner Truth. Isabella Baumfree, who later changed her name to Sojourner Truth, was born a slave in New York State. She spent most of her young life being sold to different land owners. She was treated cruelly and longed for the day when she would be free. Due to the New York State Emancipation Act of 1827, Isabella was granted her freedom. From then on she devoted her life to preaching about the rights of all people to be free and for a women's right to vote.

Similar authors: Pat McKissack; Suzanne Slade; Peter Krass

Similar books: Albert Einstein: Genius of the Twentieth Century; Susan B. Anthony: Fighter for Women's Rights by Deborah Hopkins; Teddy Roosevelt: The People's President by Sharon Shavers Gayle; Ben Franklin and His First Kite by Stephen Krensky

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/9/2010

ISBN-10: 0689872070

ISBN-13: 9780689872075

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