This book shows children that people from other religious groups are just like them in many ways, despite differences in specific religious beliefs, prayers, and places of worship.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0761328734

ISBN-13: 9780761328735

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It's 1975 and Y'Tin lives in Viet Nam with his Dega family. At 13, Y'Tin is the youngest elephant handler in the village. He is also the best. He dreams of spending his whole life with the elephants and maybe someday opening a school so he can teach other Dega how to train wild elephants. But the war has a way of dashing peoples dreams. The Americans leave Viet Nam and without their protection, the North Vietnamese overrun the Dega villages. Y'Tin's life changes forever as he deparately tries to save his family and his beloved elephants.

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 9/7/2012

ISBN-10: 1416918833

ISBN-13: 9781416918837

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In the 1960's, many of the smaller Alaskan towns didn't have middle or high schools, so young peole were flown in from around the state to attend boarding schools. When Luke and his brother Bunna arrive at Sacred Heart, they notice that all of the Eskimos sit on one side of the cafeteria while all of the Indians sit on the other. When Luke tries to speak to his brother in Inupiaq, their native language, a priest smacks his hands with a ruler. Luke's real name is too hard for white people to pronounce. The boys meet other kids at school, and throughout the book we hear their voices as well. They all struggle with issues of identity, family, and belonging, and as they grow closer to each other, the violence and unrest of the world outside threatens them more and more. My Name is Not Easy is a book about believing in your own voice, and having the courage to stand up for what you believe in.

Similar authors: Joseph Bruchac; Louise Erdrich

Similar books: Hidden Roots by Joseph Bruchac; The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 8/30/2012

ISBN-10: 0761459804

ISBN-13: 9780761459804

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'Daisy's skin is brown. Agnes's skin is white. But...they both have cheeky pink tongues!' My Nose, Your Nose details what is different about one child from another, and then tells us what they share in common. With vivid, simple illustrations and a basic, repetitive structure, this title has great appeal for very young children.

Similar books: My Beak, Your Beak by Melanie Walsh

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 6/17/2010

ISBN-10: 0618150773

ISBN-13: 9780618150779

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Twelve year old Lanesha's mother died when she was born. Mama Ya-Ya, midwife, healer, able to see the future, has raised her in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans ever since. Lanesha has 'the sight', which means she can see ghosts, including her mother. When Hurricane Katrina begins to form offshore, Mama Ya-Ya declares that this will be a bad storm. Lanesha realizes that this time she needs to take care of Mama Ya-Ya, and she needs to use everything she has been taught. The fury of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath come alive through the eyes of Lanesha.

Awards nominated: 2013 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Awards won: ALSC Notable Book 2012; School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Reviewed by: donna

Date read: 6/4/2012

ISBN-10: 0316043087

ISBN-13: 9780316043083

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