Notable​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Global

Society​ ​Project
Hannah​ ​Ellison​ ​&​ ​Alexa​ ​Vanmeighem
T&L​ ​307
 Introduction

Books​ ​have​ ​always​ ​provided​ ​a​ ​great​ ​source​ ​of​ ​knowledge​ ​and​ ​insight​ ​to​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​the

world,​ ​our​ ​imagination,​ ​different​ ​people,​ ​cultures,​ ​and​ ​much​ ​more.​ ​Reading​ ​truly​ ​is​ ​the

foundation​ ​to​ ​multiple​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​our​ ​lives.​ ​It​ ​gives​ ​people​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​see​ ​through​ ​the​ ​lenses​ ​of

others​ ​and​ ​go​ ​on​ ​a​ ​magnificent​ ​journey​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​what​ ​we​ ​knew​ ​to​ ​become​ ​an​ ​abundance​ ​of

information​ ​we​ ​now​ ​know.​ ​Literature​ ​that​ ​focuses​ ​mainly​ ​on​ ​importance​ ​and​ ​ability​ ​of

empathizing​ ​and​ ​sympathizing​ ​is​ ​known​ ​as​ ​multicultural​ ​literature.​ ​Readers​ ​of​ ​multicultural

literature​ ​are​ ​given​ ​to​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​grow​ ​through​ ​the​ ​viewpoint​ ​of​ ​someone​ ​they​ ​can​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​rather

than​ ​listing​ ​informational​ ​facts​ ​in​ ​a​ ​textbook.​ ​(​Landt​,​ ​2006).​ ​ ​The​ ​Notable​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Global

Society​ ​are​ ​books​ ​ ​written​ ​about​ ​ ​multicultural​ ​literature.​ ​For​ ​this​ ​project​ ​is​ ​was​ ​important​ ​for​ ​us

to​ ​read​ ​and​ ​analyze​ ​eight​ ​different​ ​books​ ​that​ ​are​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Notable​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Global​ ​Society​ ​list.

It​ ​is​ ​important​ ​as​ ​future​ ​teachers​ ​to​ ​be​ ​informed​ ​about​ ​different​ ​cultures​ ​through​ ​this​ ​form​ ​of

literature​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​motivate​ ​our​ ​students.​ ​Hannah​ ​and​ ​I​ ​are​ ​going​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​the​ ​different

strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses​ ​that​ ​these​ ​eight​ ​books​ ​posses​ ​and​ ​discussed​ ​those​ ​aspects.​ ​We​ ​hope​ ​to

learn​ ​more​ ​about​ ​literature​ ​as​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​and​ ​how​ ​multicultural​ ​books​ ​can​ ​benefit​ ​an​ ​elementary

classroom​ ​after​ ​this​ ​project.​ ​When​ ​reading​ ​multicultural​ ​books​ ​readers​ ​can​ ​benefit​ ​from

understanding​ ​people​ ​who​ ​are​ ​different​ ​from​ ​themselves.​ ​Because​ ​this​ ​form​ ​of​ ​literature​ ​can

often​ ​change​ ​reader's’​ ​perspective​ ​and​ ​open​ ​their​ ​mind​ ​to​ ​different​ ​cultures​ ​and​ ​ideals,​ ​it​ ​is

essential​ ​for​ ​books​ ​like​ ​these​ ​to​ ​be​ ​introduced​ ​to​ ​people.​ ​(​Tunnel,​ ​2012).
 Purpose​ ​of​ ​Project

The​ ​purpose​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Notable​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Global​ ​Society​ ​project​ ​was​ ​to​ ​expose​ ​us​ ​to

multicultural​ ​literature​ ​and​ ​how​ ​to​ ​critique​ ​the​ ​books​ ​by​ ​going​ ​to​ ​depth​ ​in​ ​every​ ​aspect​ ​of​ ​the

book​ ​and​ ​determining​ ​whether​ ​or​ ​not​ ​it​ ​was​ ​meeting​ ​criteria​ ​of​ ​the​ ​standards.​ ​I​ ​also​ ​believe​ ​that

this​ ​project​ ​was​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​multicultural​ ​literature​ ​and​ ​what​ ​it​ ​truly​ ​means.​ ​I​ ​had

an​ ​idea​ ​before​ ​the​ ​project,​ ​but​ ​after​ ​going​ ​into​ ​depth​ ​on​ ​examining​ ​the​ ​books,​ ​I​ ​gained​ ​a​ ​more

important​ ​meaning.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​that​ ​teaching​ ​our​ ​future​ ​students​ ​about​ ​this,​ ​and​ ​exposing​ ​them​ ​to​ ​the

meaning​ ​and​ ​what​ ​we​ ​can​ ​learn​ ​through​ ​such​ ​rich​ ​material​ ​will​ ​really​ ​benefit​ ​them​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​I

wish​ ​I​ ​learned​ ​more​ ​about​ ​culture,​ ​religion,​ ​beliefs,​ ​etc​ ​through​ ​these​ ​books​ ​when​ ​I​ ​was​ ​going

through​ ​school,​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​textbooks​ ​and​ ​lectures.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​teachers​ ​will​ ​really​ ​benefit​ ​by​ ​having

multicultural​ ​books​ ​in​ ​their​ ​classroom,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​also​ ​think​ ​having​ ​students​ ​read​ ​them​ ​as​ ​classroom

curriculum​ ​will​ ​broaden​ ​their​ ​visions​ ​on​ ​people​ ​and​ ​the​ ​world​ ​(​Landt​,​ ​2006).​ ​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​this

project​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​extremely​ ​helpful​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​choosing​ ​the​ ​books​ ​we​ ​decide​ ​to​ ​put​ ​in

our​ ​classrooms​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​our​ ​students.​ ​As​ ​teachers,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​our​ ​responsibility​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​them​ ​with

quality​ ​material​ ​to​ ​read​ ​and​ ​learn,​ ​and​ ​these​ ​books​ ​are​ ​great​ ​examples​ ​of​ ​that.
I,​ ​Hannah​ ​Define​ ​Multicultural​ ​Literature​ ​as,

Multicultural​ ​literature​ ​has​ ​many​ ​different​ ​elements​ ​in​ ​my​ ​opinion.​ ​It​ ​covers​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​range

of​ ​topics​ ​such​ ​as​ ​culture,​ ​race,​ ​ethnicity,​ ​and​ ​religion.​ ​These​ ​types​ ​of​ ​books​ ​really​ ​go​ ​into​ ​depth

on​ ​how​ ​everyone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​is​ ​equal.​ ​I​ ​did​ ​not​ ​know​ ​much​ ​about​ ​it​ ​and​ ​how​ ​important​ ​it​ ​is,

before​ ​reading​ ​this​ ​chapter,​ ​but​ ​this​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​understand​ ​it​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​better.

This​ ​project​ ​mostly​ ​just​ ​solidified​ ​my​ ​definition​ ​and​ ​thoughts​ ​on​ ​multicultural​ ​literature.​ ​I

believe​ ​that​ ​this​ ​genre​ ​is​ ​perhaps​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​important​ ​ones​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​teaching

literature​ ​and​ ​how​ ​to​ ​spark​ ​interest​ ​in​ ​real​ ​world​ ​problems.​​ ​Children’s​ ​Literature​ ​Briefly​ ​explains

that​ ​these​ ​books​ ​go​ ​beyond​ ​culture,​ ​but​ ​goes​ ​into​ ​depth​ ​on​ ​religion,​ ​beliefs,​ ​outlook,​ ​and​ ​more.

Books​ ​like​ ​these,​ ​put​ ​the​ ​readers​ ​in​ ​the​ ​victim's​ ​shoes​ ​and​ ​makes​ ​them​ ​really​ ​feel​ ​what​ ​it’s​ ​like​ ​to

be​ ​going​ ​through​ ​what​ ​they​ ​did.​ ​Reading​ ​can​ ​create​ ​open​ ​minded​ ​people​ ​who​ ​understand​ ​others

emotions,​ ​beliefs,​ ​likes,​ ​and​ ​dislikes,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​really​ ​appreciate​ ​that.

I,​ ​Alexa​ ​defined​ ​Multicultural​ ​Literature​ ​as,

Before​ ​this​ ​project​ ​my​ ​ideas​ ​of​ ​Multicultural​ ​Literature​ ​were​ ​that​ ​it​ ​was​ ​literature​ ​about

diverse​ ​cultures,​ ​socio-cultural​ ​experiences,​ ​and​ ​groups​ ​that​ ​aren't​ ​often​ ​represented​ ​in​ ​literature.

In​ ​this​ ​type​ ​of​ ​literature,​ ​readers​ ​learn​ ​more​ ​about​ ​religion,​ ​beliefs,​ ​and​ ​ideas​ ​of​ ​different

cultures.

After​ ​completing​ ​this​ ​project​ ​I​ ​still​ ​agree​ ​with​ ​my​ ​thoughts​ ​before​ ​but​ ​my​ ​passion​ ​for​ ​this

form​ ​of​ ​literature​ ​has​ ​grown.​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​this​ ​literature​ ​can​ ​teach​ ​its​ ​readers​ ​to​ ​understand​ ​the

emotions,​ ​situations,​ ​traditions,​ ​feelings,​ ​likes,​ ​and​ ​dislikes,​ ​and​ ​so​ ​much​ ​more​ ​of​ ​different

cultures.​ ​We​ ​have​ ​so​ ​much​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​in​ ​this​ ​world​ ​and​ ​there​ ​are​ ​so​ ​many​ ​people​ ​very​ ​different
from​ ​us.​ ​Reading​ ​can​ ​truly​ ​change​ ​our​ ​outlooks​ ​on​ ​things​ ​and​ ​alter​ ​our​ ​perceptions​ ​to​ ​people​ ​and

things​ ​we​ ​might​ ​not​ ​have​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​without​ ​multicultural​ ​literature.

Steps​ ​in​ ​Completing​ ​Project

When​ ​we​ ​began​ ​this​ ​project​ ​we​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​form​ ​an​ ​outline​ ​to​ ​see​ ​where​ ​to​ ​begin,​ ​where

we​ ​were​ ​going​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​this​ ​assignment,​ ​and​ ​who​ ​was​ ​going​ ​to​ ​do​ ​what.​ ​We​ ​split​ ​all

of​ ​the​ ​work​ ​equally.​ ​Both​ ​of​ ​us​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​check​ ​out​ ​and​ ​read​ ​two​ ​chapter​ ​books​ ​and​ ​two​ ​picture

books.​ ​We​ ​split​ ​up​ ​every​ ​detail​ ​in​ ​between​ ​putting​ ​the​ ​paper​ ​together​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​We​ ​were​ ​going​ ​to

write​ ​about​ ​the​ ​books​ ​we​ ​read​ ​and​ ​then​ ​one​ ​would​ ​pick​ ​a​ ​winner​ ​and​ ​one​ ​would​ ​pick​ ​the​ ​two

honors.​ ​To​ ​pick​ ​our​ ​books​ ​we​ ​both​ ​picked​ ​some​ ​we​ ​had​ ​read​ ​and​ ​some​ ​we​ ​had​ ​not​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be

able​ ​to​ ​revisit​ ​and​ ​analyze​ ​some​ ​of​ ​our​ ​favorites,​ ​and​ ​get​ ​a​ ​taste​ ​of​ ​some​ ​literature​ ​we​ ​had​ ​not

experienced.​ ​Alexa​ ​asked​ ​her​ ​friend​ ​who​ ​has​ ​taken​ ​this​ ​course​ ​for​ ​any​ ​recommendations​ ​and

decided​ ​to​ ​read​ ​The​ ​Chickens​ ​Build​ ​a​ ​Wall​ ​after​ ​that​ ​conversation.​ ​Hannah​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​reread​ ​one

of​ ​her​ ​favorites​​ ​Ruby​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Outside​ ​for​ ​part​ ​of​ ​this​ ​project​ ​so​ ​she​ ​chose​ ​that​ ​to​ ​be​ ​one​ ​of​ ​her​ ​four

books.​ ​We​ ​definitely​ ​picked​ ​a​ ​few​ ​books​ ​each​ ​that​ ​we​ ​were​ ​not​ ​familiar​ ​with​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​expand

our​ ​knowledge​ ​on​ ​this​ ​form​ ​of​ ​literature.

Notable​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Global​ ​Society​ ​Criteria:
Part​ ​I​ ​(Must​ ​meet​ ​one​ ​or​ ​more​ ​criteria​ ​from​ ​this​ ​section.)

1. ​ ​Portray​ ​cultural​ ​accuracy​ ​and​ ​authenticity​ ​of​ ​characters​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​(a)​ ​physical

characteristics,​ ​(b)​ ​intellectual​ ​abilities​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​capabilities,​ ​(c)​ ​leadership

and​ ​cooperative​ ​dimensions,​ ​and​ ​(d)​ ​social​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​status;

2. Be​ ​rich​ ​in​ ​cultural​ ​details;

3. Honor​ ​and​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​common​ ​bonds​ ​in​ ​humanity;

4. Provide​ ​in-depth​ ​treatment​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​issues;

5. Include​ ​characters​ ​within​ ​a​ ​cultural​ ​group​ ​or​ ​between​ ​two​ ​or​ ​more​ ​cultural​ ​groups​ ​who

interact​ ​substantively​ ​and​ ​authentically;

6. Include​ ​members​ ​of​ ​a​ ​“minority”​ ​group​ ​for​ ​a​ ​purpose​ ​other​ ​than​ ​filling​ ​a​ ​“quota.”

Part​ ​II​ ​(Must​ ​meet​ ​all​ ​criteria​ ​from​ ​this​ ​section.)

1. Invite​ ​reflection,​ ​critical​ ​analysis,​ ​and​ ​response;

2. Demonstrate​ ​unique​ ​language​ ​or​ ​style;

3. Meet​ ​generally-accepted​ ​criteria​ ​of​ ​quality​ ​for​ ​the​ ​genre​ ​in​ ​which​ ​they​ ​are​ ​written;

4. Have​ ​an​ ​appealing​ ​format​ ​and​ ​be​ ​of​ ​enduring​ ​quality.

Bibliography​ ​of​ ​our​ ​chosen​ ​NBGS:
Anderson,​ ​L.​ ​(2008).​ ​Chains​.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​USA:​ ​Simon​ ​&​ ​Schuster​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young​ ​Readers.
Print.

Bolden,​ ​T.,​ ​&​ ​Velasquez,​ ​E.​ ​Beautiful​ ​moon:​ ​A​ ​child's​ ​prayer​.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Abrams,​ ​Harry
N.,​ ​Inc.​ ​Print.

Baskin,​ ​N.​ ​R.​ ​(2015).​ ​Ruby​ ​on​ ​the​ ​outside.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Simon​ ​&​ ​Schuster​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young
Readers.

Dumont,​ ​J.​ ​(2013).​ ​The​ ​chickens​ ​build​ ​a​ ​wall.​ ​Grand​ ​Rapids,​ ​MI:​ ​Eerdmans​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young
Readers.

Lin,​ ​Grace.​ ​Starry​ ​River​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Sky​.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Little,​ ​Brown​ ​and​ ​Company.​ ​Print.

Lin,​ ​G.​ ​(2009).​ ​Where​ ​the​ ​mountain​ ​meets​ ​the​ ​moon.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Little,​ ​Brown​ ​and​ ​Co

Mezel,​ ​Peter​ ​and​ ​Faith​ ​D'Aluisio.​ ​(2008).​ ​What​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Eats​.​ ​Berkeley,​ ​CA:​ ​Tricycle​ ​Press.
Print.

Wong,​ ​J.S.​ ​(2002).​ ​Apple​ ​Pie​ ​4th​ ​of​ ​July​.​ ​Sand​ ​Diego,​ ​CA:​ ​Harcourt.​ ​Print.

NBGS​ ​Winners:

Ruby​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Outside​ ​written​ ​by:​ ​Nora​ ​Raleigh​ ​Baskin

Baskin,​ ​N.​ ​R.​ ​(2015).​ ​Ruby​ ​on​ ​the​ ​outside.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Simon​ ​&​ ​Schuster​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young
Readers
Summary:

Ruby​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Outside​ ​tells​ ​a​ ​gripping​ ​and​ ​emotional​ ​story​ ​of​ ​life​ ​for​ ​a​ ​child​ ​with​ ​a​ ​parent

that​ ​is​ ​incarcerated.​ ​Ruby​ ​in​ ​is​ ​the​ ​5th​ ​grade​ ​about​ ​to​ ​go​ ​into​ ​middle​ ​school,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​having​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​of

a​ ​rough​ ​summer.​ ​The​ ​only​ ​people​ ​who​ ​know​ ​her​ ​mom​ ​is​ ​in​ ​prison​ ​with​ ​her​ ​Aunt​ ​Matoo,​ ​and

herself.​ ​She​ ​lives​ ​with​ ​Matoo​ ​in​ ​her​ ​condo.​ ​Ruby​ ​has​ ​little​ ​to​ ​no​ ​friends,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​finds​ ​out​ ​that

her​ ​one​ ​friend​ ​is​ ​leaving​ ​for​ ​the​ ​summer,​ ​so​ ​she​ ​is​ ​just​ ​feeling​ ​out​ ​of​ ​place.​ ​One​ ​day​ ​she​ ​meets​ ​a

new​ ​friend​ ​in​ ​her​ ​condos,​ ​and​ ​Ruby​ ​is​ ​hoping​ ​that​ ​this​ ​is​ ​a​ ​potential​ ​bestfriend.​ ​Unfortunately,

Ruby​ ​finds​ ​out​ ​some​ ​unsettling​ ​news​ ​about​ ​her​ ​friendship​ ​with​ ​Margalit​ ​and​ ​it​ ​very​ ​much​ ​end

their​ ​relationship​ ​for​ ​good.​ ​Throughout​ ​this​ ​novel,​ ​Ruby​ ​grows​ ​confidence​ ​and​ ​strength,​ ​and

finds​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​accept​ ​Margalit,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​her​ ​mom.

Strengths:

Part​ ​1:
-Honor​ ​and​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​common​ ​bonds​ ​in​ ​humanity;

-Provide​ ​in-depth​ ​treatment​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​issues

This​ ​book​ ​does​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​job​ ​of​ ​making​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​have​ ​an​ ​emotional​ ​connection​ ​to​ ​the

main​ ​character.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​the​ ​book​ ​has​ ​this​ ​strength​ ​because​ ​Ruby​ ​is​ ​in​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​situation​ ​of​ ​her

mom​ ​being​ ​in​ ​prison,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​is​ ​such​ ​a​ ​broad​ ​topic​ ​that​ ​never​ ​really​ ​gets​ ​talked​ ​about​ ​or​ ​written

about.​ ​A​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​people​ ​would​ ​probably​ ​find​ ​this​ ​embarrassing​ ​or​ ​something​ ​to​ ​be​ ​ashamed​ ​of,​ ​but

throughout​ ​this​ ​book,​ ​Ruby​ ​finds​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​find​ ​peace​ ​with​ ​the​ ​situation,​ ​because​ ​in​ ​the​ ​beginning

all​ ​she​ ​wants​ ​is​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​her​ ​mom​ ​and​ ​Ruby​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​if​ ​she​ ​acts​ ​or​ ​behaves​ ​a

certain​ ​way,​ ​everything​ ​will​ ​fall​ ​into​ ​place​ ​and​ ​her​ ​mother​ ​could​ ​come​ ​home.​ ​Sadly,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​a
false​ ​hope​ ​and​ ​Ruby​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​terms​ ​that​ ​harsh​ ​reality.​ ​Through​ ​her​ ​friendship​ ​with​ ​Margalit,

Baskin​ ​does​ ​an​ ​awesome​ ​job​ ​at​ ​portraying​ ​diversity​ ​through​ ​a​ ​common​ ​bond​ ​in​ ​humanity.

Margalit​ ​has​ ​a​ ​connection​ ​to​ ​Ruby’s​ ​mother​ ​and​ ​her​ ​imprisonment,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​is​ ​such​ ​a​ ​rare,​ ​but

real​ ​situation.​ ​This​ ​story​ ​celebrates​ ​diversity​ ​in​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​that​ ​Ruby​ ​is​ ​not​ ​like​ ​everyone​ ​else​ ​and

she​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​terms​ ​with​ ​this,​ ​but​ ​had​ ​a​ ​really​ ​hard​ ​time​ ​with​ ​her​ ​situation​ ​and​ ​what​ ​people​ ​were

going​ ​to​ ​think​ ​of​ ​her.​ ​Baskin​ ​does​ ​an​ ​exemplary​ ​job​ ​at​ ​providing​ ​an​ ​in​ ​depth​ ​description​ ​of

Ruby’s​ ​life,​ ​her​ ​feelings,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​issues​ ​that​ ​life​ ​has​ ​presented​ ​her.

Weakness:
Part​ ​II:
-Demonstrate​ ​unique​ ​language​ ​or​ ​style

Although​ ​this​ ​story​ ​has​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​background​ ​and​ ​storyline​ ​than​ ​other​ ​typical​ ​young​ ​adult

books,​ ​it​ ​did​ ​not​ ​appeal​ ​to​ ​me​ ​as​ ​having​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​language​ ​or​ ​style.​ ​It​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​me​ ​that​ ​it​ ​was

written​ ​to​ ​have​ ​the​ ​readers​ ​connect​ ​emotionally​ ​to​ ​Ruby​ ​and​ ​to​ ​try​ ​and​ ​get​ ​an​ ​in​ ​depth​ ​insight

into​ ​how​ ​she​ ​feels​ ​about​ ​her​ ​current​ ​situation.​ ​A​ ​unique​ ​writing​ ​style​ ​or​ ​language​ ​in​ ​my​ ​opinion,

would​ ​be​ ​noticeable​ ​and​ ​stand​ ​out​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point​ ​where​ ​you​ ​would​ ​know​ ​the​ ​book​ ​was

different​ ​for​ ​this​ ​reason,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​get​ ​that​ ​here.​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​believe​ ​this​ ​specific​ ​critique​ ​took​ ​away

from​ ​the​ ​story​ ​or​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​book​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​It’s​ ​unique​ ​in​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​different​ ​ways,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​feel​ ​as​ ​if

this​ ​maybe​ ​just​ ​wasn’t​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​focus​ ​for​ ​Baskin​ ​while​ ​writing​ ​this​ ​book,​ ​and​ ​instead​ ​she​ ​focused

on​ ​making​ ​Ruby​ ​relatable,​ ​so​ ​people​ ​could​ ​be​ ​sympathetic​ ​towards​ ​her​ ​and​ ​make​ ​that

connection.

Apple​ ​Pie​ ​of​ ​4th​ ​of​ ​July​ ​written​ ​by:​ ​J.S.​ ​Wong
Wong,​ ​J.S.​ ​Apple​ ​Pie​ ​4th​ ​of​ ​July​.​ ​Sand​ ​Diego,​ ​CA:​ ​Harcourt.​ ​2002.​ ​Print​.

Summary:

Apple​ ​Pie​ ​of​ ​4th​ ​of​ ​July​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great​ ​book​ ​that​ ​explains​ ​American​ ​holidays​ ​and​ ​diversity

through​ ​a​ ​different​ ​lense.​ ​This​ ​story​ ​is​ ​about​ ​a​ ​young​ ​girl​ ​who​ ​is​ ​Chinese,​ ​and​ ​does​ ​not​ ​really

understand​ ​why​ ​her​ ​parents​ ​leave​ ​their​ ​market​ ​open​ ​during​ ​the​ ​holidays,​ ​specifically​ ​4th​ ​of​ ​July.

Why​ ​would​ ​anyone​ ​want​ ​Chinese​ ​food​ ​on​ ​this​ ​holiday??​ ​Throughout​ ​the​ ​day​ ​she​ ​is​ ​surprised​ ​at

the​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​customers​ ​her​ ​parents​ ​market​ ​had.​ ​At​ ​the​ ​end,​ ​she​ ​gets​ ​to​ ​enjoy​ ​the​ ​holiday​ ​with

her​ ​parents​ ​and​ ​watch​ ​fireworks,​ ​and​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​an​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​traditions

and​ ​diversity​ ​between​ ​cultures.

Strengths:
Part​ ​I​ ​:
-Honor​ ​and​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​common​ ​bonds​ ​in​ ​humanity

-Have​ ​an​ ​appealing​ ​format​ ​and​ ​be​ ​of​ ​enduring​ ​quality

Apple​ ​Pie​ ​of​ ​4th​ ​of​ ​July​ ​tells​ ​an​ ​awesome​ ​story​ ​and​ ​celebrates​ ​diversity,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​the

confusion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​interaction​ ​and​ ​meaning​ ​behind​ ​culture​ ​and​ ​traditions.​ ​The​ ​young​ ​girl​ ​who​ ​is

Chinese-American,​ ​does​ ​not​ ​understand​ ​why​ ​her​ ​parents​ ​would​ ​leave​ ​their​ ​market​ ​open​ ​during

an​ ​American​ ​holiday,​ ​because​ ​their​ ​food​ ​is​ ​not​ ​American.​ ​She​ ​has​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​interactions

throughout​ ​the​ ​day​ ​with​ ​customers​ ​coming​ ​into​ ​the​ ​market​ ​buying​ ​food,​ ​and​ ​she​ ​just​ ​can’t

understand​ ​why​ ​someone​ ​would​ ​eat​ ​Chinese​ ​food​ ​on​ ​this​ ​holiday​ ​celebrating​ ​America.​ ​In​ ​my

opinion,​ ​that’s​ ​the​ ​beauty​ ​of​ ​this​ ​book.​ ​She​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​realization​ ​that​ ​everyone​ ​celebrates
differently,​ ​and​ ​maybe​ ​people​ ​eat​ ​Chinese​ ​food​ ​as​ ​a​ ​tradition​ ​with​ ​their​ ​families​ ​on​ ​this​ ​day,​ ​or

maybe​ ​people​ ​do​ ​not​ ​celebrate​ ​at​ ​all,​ ​and​ ​just​ ​simply​ ​wanted​ ​food.​ ​The​ ​enduring​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​this

book​ ​is​ ​that​ ​is​ ​really​ ​send​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​message​ ​to​ ​all​ ​readers​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​so​ ​many​ ​different

cultures​ ​and​ ​traditions​ ​out​ ​there,​ ​and​ ​we​ ​have​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​not​ ​to​ ​judge​ ​people​ ​for​ ​their

decisions,​ ​even​ ​if​ ​it​ ​is​ ​what​ ​food​ ​their​ ​eating​ ​on​ ​certain​ ​days.​ ​The​ ​common​ ​bond​ ​and​ ​diversity​ ​is

such​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​strength​ ​in​ ​this​ ​book,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great​ ​way​ ​to​ ​get​ ​this​ ​message​ ​across​ ​to​ ​young

readers​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​I​ ​read​ ​this​ ​in​ ​my​ ​kindergarten​ ​class​ ​over​ ​the​ ​summer,​ ​and​ ​we​ ​discussed​ ​the

message​ ​afterwards​ ​and​ ​my​ ​students​ ​were​ ​so​ ​intrigued​ ​and​ ​that​ ​is​ ​so​ ​important.

Weakness
Part​ ​ ​I:
-Be​ ​rich​ ​in​ ​cultural​ ​details;

Although​ ​this​ ​book​ ​does​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​job​ ​of​ ​providing​ ​context​ ​that​ ​celebrates​ ​diversity

and​ ​tradition,​ ​it​ ​does​ ​not​ ​necessarily​ ​have​ ​an​ ​abundance​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​background​ ​knowledge​ ​and

detail​ ​to​ ​better​ ​help​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​importance.​ ​Like​ ​I​ ​mentioned​ ​before​ ​in​ ​a​ ​weakness

critique,​ ​I​ ​do​ ​not​ ​entirely​ ​think​ ​this​ ​negatively​ ​affects​ ​the​ ​book's​ ​quality,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​would​ ​definitely

be​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​stronger​ ​if​ ​it​ ​had​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​more​ ​of​ ​information​ ​on​ ​the​ ​the​ ​differences​ ​in​ ​Chinese​ ​and

American​ ​culture,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​this​ ​young​ ​girl​ ​celebrates,​ ​or​ ​if​ ​she​ ​celebrates,​ ​American​ ​culture​ ​at

all.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​providing​ ​the​ ​readers​ ​with​ ​these​ ​details​ ​would​ ​help​ ​with​ ​making​ ​connections​ ​to​ ​the

young​ ​girl,​ ​and​ ​understand​ ​her​ ​point​ ​of​ ​view​ ​better.

Starry​ ​River​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Sky​ ​written​ ​by:​ ​Grace​ ​Lin

Lin,​ ​Grace.​ ​Starry​ ​River​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Sky.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Little,​ ​Brown​ ​and​ ​Company.​ ​Print.

Summary:
 This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​about​ ​a​ ​little​ ​boy​ ​named​ ​Rendi​ ​who​ ​becomes​ ​very​ ​upset​ ​with​ ​his​ ​father​ ​and

runs​ ​away​ ​from​ ​his​ ​home.​ ​This​ ​leads​ ​him​ ​to​ ​a​ ​little​ ​town​ ​called​ ​Village​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Clear​ ​Sky.​ ​Rendi

finds​ ​a​ ​job​ ​working​ ​for​ ​a​ ​man​ ​who​ ​tells​ ​him​ ​he​ ​has​ ​a​ ​son​ ​who​ ​ran​ ​away​ ​from​ ​home​ ​just​ ​like

Rendi.​ ​One​ ​day,​ ​Rendi​ ​notices​ ​that​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​is​ ​missing​ ​from​ ​the​ ​sky​ ​and​ ​he​ ​is​ ​the​ ​only​ ​one​ ​who

constantly​ ​hears​ ​a​ ​moaning​ ​sounds.​ ​Rendi​ ​is​ ​very​ ​confused.​ ​After​ ​awhile​ ​of​ ​this​ ​oddness,​ ​he

realizes​ ​he​ ​does​ ​not​ ​like​ ​this​ ​new​ ​town.​ ​He​ ​wants​ ​to​ ​leave.​ ​Then,​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​meets​ ​Rendi​ ​and

shares​ ​with​ ​him​ ​some​ ​stories​ ​about​ ​people​ ​and​ ​things​ ​that​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​Rendi​ ​a​ ​lot.​ ​This​ ​inspires​ ​him

to​ ​tell​ ​his​ ​own​ ​stories.​ ​These​ ​stories​ ​reveal​ ​to​ ​him​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the​ ​answers​ ​to​ ​the​ ​questions​ ​he​ ​had​ ​in

the​ ​town​ ​and​ ​in​ ​his​ ​life.

Strength
Part​ ​II​ ​:

-Demonstrate​ ​unique​ ​style​ ​or​ ​language

This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​strength​ ​for​ ​this​ ​story​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​written​ ​in​ ​Chinese​ ​fables.​ ​The​ ​story​ ​is​ ​very

poetic​ ​and​ ​by​ ​using​ ​the​ ​small​ ​stories​ ​told​ ​from​ ​the​ ​characters​ ​it​ ​becomes​ ​something​ ​very​ ​creative

and​ ​different​ ​from​ ​many​ ​other​ ​books​ ​we​ ​have​ ​read.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​also​ ​a​ ​few​ ​pictures/illustrations

throughout​ ​this​ ​story​ ​to​ ​add​ ​to​ ​its​ ​uniqueness.

Weaknesses

Part​ ​I:

-Honor​ ​and​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​common​ ​bonds​ ​in​ ​humanity

-Provide​ ​in-depth​ ​treatment​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​issues

For​ ​a​ ​weakness​ ​within​ ​this​ ​story​ ​we​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​this​ ​book​ ​did​ ​not​ ​do​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​celebrating​ ​the

diversity.​ ​Although​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​culture​ ​and​ ​cultural​ ​awareness​ ​within​ ​this​ ​book,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​not
much​ ​discussion​ ​of​ ​different​ ​cultural​ ​groups​ ​and​ ​what​ ​issues​ ​there​ ​are.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​to​ ​make​ ​this​ ​book

our​ ​winner​ ​it​ ​would​ ​have​ ​had​ ​to​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​more.

What​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Eats​ ​written​ ​by:​ ​Peter​ ​Mezel​ ​and​ ​Faith​ ​D’Aluisio
Mezel,​ ​Peter​ ​and​ ​Faith​ ​D'Aluisio.​ ​What​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Eats​.​ ​Berkeley,​ ​CA:​ ​Tricycle​ ​Press.​ ​(2008).
Print.

Summary:

What​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Eats​ ​is​ ​an​ ​awesome​ ​book​ ​that​ ​opens​ ​your​ ​eyes​ ​to​ ​different​ ​food​ ​that​ ​is

eaten​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​It​ ​has​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​really​ ​great​ ​facts​ ​that​ ​can​ ​expose​ ​children​ ​and​ ​adults​ ​even

to​ ​facts​ ​that​ ​aren’t​ ​commonly​ ​known.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​also​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​great​ ​photographs​ ​that​ ​make

the​ ​text​ ​even​ ​more​ ​intriguing.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​highlights​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​different​ ​facets​ ​about​ ​food​ ​around​ ​the

world​ ​such​ ​as​ ​how​ ​it​ ​is​ ​prepared,​ ​eaten,​ ​and​ ​what​ ​people​ ​eat​ ​in​ ​a​ ​full​ ​week.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​great

knowledgable​ ​book​ ​that​ ​would​ ​a​ ​really​ ​fun​ ​way​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​food​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world​ ​and​ ​what

people​ ​in​ ​different​ ​cultures​ ​eat.

Strengths
Part​ ​I:
-Be​ ​rich​ ​in​ ​cultural​ ​details;

-Demonstrate​ ​unique​ ​language​ ​or​ ​style

What​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Eats​ ​is​ ​nonetheless​ ​a​ ​fascinating​ ​book.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​written​ ​in​ ​such​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​and

way,​ ​it​ ​captivates​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​and​ ​draws​ ​them​ ​into​ ​the​ ​story​ ​even​ ​more.​ ​It​ ​does​ ​a​ ​great​ ​job​ ​at

providing​ ​in​ ​depth​ ​cultural​ ​details​ ​on​ ​25​ ​different​ ​families​ ​in​ ​21​ ​different​ ​countries.​ ​In​ ​my

opinion,​ ​everyone​ ​loves​ ​food,​ ​so​ ​what​ ​a​ ​great​ ​way​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​about​ ​tradition​ ​and​ ​culture​ ​then

through​ ​a​ ​book​ ​about​ ​meals​ ​and​ ​food.​ ​I​ ​know​ ​for​ ​me​ ​this​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​exciting​ ​reads

because​ ​of​ ​these​ ​details.​ ​It​ ​also​ ​provides​ ​photographs​ ​which​ ​is​ ​also​ ​a​ ​such​ ​an​ ​attention​ ​grabber
and​ ​really​ ​draws​ ​the​ ​readers​ ​in.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​something​ ​about​ ​pictures​ ​that​ ​makes​ ​multicultural​ ​books

so​ ​personal​ ​and​ ​real,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​book​ ​definitely​ ​exemplifies​ ​this.

Weakness
Part​ ​II:
-Provide​ ​in-depth​ ​treatment​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​issues

This​ ​book​ ​provides​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​look​ ​into​ ​the​ ​diversity​ ​of​ ​families​ ​all​ ​over​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​and

their​ ​eating​ ​habits,​ ​how​ ​much​ ​they​ ​spend​ ​on​ ​food,​ ​how​ ​the​ ​food​ ​prepared,​ ​and​ ​much​ ​more.​ ​I​ ​did

not​ ​find​ ​myself​ ​finding​ ​much​ ​is​ ​the​ ​book​ ​about​ ​cultural​ ​issues​ ​per​ ​say.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​plenty​ ​of​ ​rich

cultural​ ​detail,​ ​but​ ​there​ ​was​ ​not​ ​much​ ​talk​ ​of​ ​problems​ ​of​ ​specific​ ​cultures​ ​along​ ​with​ ​all​ ​of​ ​the

other​ ​information.​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​this​ ​could​ ​have​ ​possibly​ ​made​ ​the​ ​book​ ​stronger​ ​and​ ​more​ ​intense

for​ ​the​ ​reader.​ ​Although​ ​it​ ​is​ ​fun,​ ​but​ ​providing​ ​an​ ​emotional​ ​or​ ​personal​ ​connection​ ​that​ ​a

cultural​ ​issue​ ​brings,​ ​it​ ​would​ ​have​ ​been​ ​a​ ​great​ ​addition.

The​ ​Chickens​ ​Build​ ​a​ ​Wall​ ​written​ ​by:​ ​Jean-Francois​ ​Dumont

Dumont,​ ​J.​ ​(2013).​ ​The​ ​chickens​ ​build​ ​a​ ​wall.​ ​Grand​ ​Rapids,​ ​MI:​ ​Eerdmans​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young
Readers

Summary:

This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​about​ ​when​ ​a​ ​hedgehog​ ​arrives​ ​in​ ​a​ ​place​ ​full​ ​of​ ​chickens.​ ​The​ ​chickens​ ​had

never​ ​seen​ ​something​ ​quite​ ​like​ ​the​ ​hedgehog​ ​before.​ ​The​ ​other​ ​animals​ ​also​ ​had​ ​opinions​ ​and

thoughts​ ​about​ ​this​ ​new​ ​animals​ ​in​ ​the​ ​area.​ ​The​ ​hedgehog​ ​became​ ​nervous​ ​and​ ​scared​ ​and​ ​curls

up​ ​into​ ​a​ ​ball.​ ​Not​ ​knowing​ ​how​ ​to​ ​react,​ ​the​ ​animals​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​build​ ​a​ ​wall​ ​between​ ​the​ ​hedgehog
and​ ​themselves​ ​out​ ​of​ ​fear.​ ​After​ ​they​ ​finish,​ ​the​ ​hedgehog​ ​appears​ ​from​ ​hiding​ ​underneath​ ​some

hay​ ​because​ ​he​ ​was​ ​so​ ​scared​ ​of​ ​them.​ ​The​ ​animals​ ​had​ ​no​ ​way​ ​of​ ​escaping​ ​because​ ​they​ ​had

forgotten​ ​to​ ​add​ ​doors​ ​to​ ​their​ ​new​ ​home.​ ​The​ ​animals​ ​began​ ​to​ ​get​ ​used​ ​to​ ​the​ ​hedgehog​ ​and​ ​so

he​ ​stayed​ ​and​ ​became​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​their​ ​community.

Strengths
Part​ ​I​ ​:
-Include​ ​characters​ ​within​ ​a​ ​cultural​ ​group​ ​or​ ​between​ ​two​ ​or​ ​more​ ​cultural​ ​groups​ ​who​ ​interact
substantively​ ​and​ ​authentically

This​ ​story​ ​does​ ​a​ ​good​ ​job​ ​of​ ​showing​ ​the​ ​differences​ ​between​ ​the​ ​major​ ​groups​ ​within

this​ ​story.​ ​Yes​ ​the​ ​groups​ ​are​ ​different​ ​animals,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​a​ ​reader​ ​is​ ​thinking​ ​about​ ​how​ ​the​ ​groups

are​ ​divided​ ​and​ ​then​ ​come​ ​together​ ​in​ ​the​ ​end,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​shown​ ​immensely​ ​throughout​ ​this​ ​story.​ ​It

shows​ ​how​ ​at​ ​first​ ​the​ ​hen​ ​and​ ​the​ ​chickens​ ​are​ ​not​ ​fond​ ​of​ ​the​ ​hedge​ ​hog​ ​but​ ​then​ ​they​ ​come​ ​to

a​ ​realization​ ​that​ ​he​ ​is​ ​normal​ ​and​ ​okay.

Part​ ​I:

-Portray​ ​cultural​ ​accuracy​ ​and​ ​authenticity​ ​of​ ​characters​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​(a)​ ​physical

characteristics,​ ​(b)​ ​intellectual​ ​abilities​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​capabilities,​ ​(c)​ ​leadership​ ​and

cooperative​ ​dimensions,​ ​and​ ​(d)​ ​social​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​status;

This​ ​story​ ​showed​ ​some​ ​great​ ​usage​ ​of​ ​portraying​ ​cultural​ ​accuracy​ ​through​ ​animals.​ ​The

rooster​ ​in​ ​this​ ​story​ ​showed​ ​a​ ​great​ ​example​ ​of​ ​leadership​ ​and​ ​cooperative​ ​dimensions​ ​by​ ​being​ ​a

role​ ​model​ ​to​ ​realizing​ ​the​ ​hedgehog​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​creature​ ​and​ ​that​ ​he​ ​could​ ​be​ ​apart​ ​of​ ​their

group.​ ​Also,​ ​having​ ​the​ ​hedgehog​ ​hiding​ ​from​ ​the​ ​chickens​ ​just​ ​like​ ​the​ ​chickens​ ​hiding​ ​by

creating​ ​a​ ​wall​ ​is​ ​showing​ ​problem​ ​solving.​ ​They​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​build​ ​a​ ​wall​ ​to​ ​get​ ​away​ ​and​ ​he
wanted​ ​to​ ​get​ ​away​ ​so​ ​he​ ​hid​ ​under​ ​a​ ​bunch​ ​of​ ​hay.​ ​Both​ ​groups​ ​were​ ​using​ ​a​ ​defense

mechanism​ ​because​ ​of​ ​their​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​understanding.​ ​Yet,​ ​they​ ​all​ ​come​ ​together​ ​in​ ​the​ ​end​ ​so​ ​the

book​ ​does​ ​a​ ​great​ ​job​ ​og​ ​showing​ ​each​ ​stage.

Weakness
Part​ ​1:
-Be​ ​rich​ ​in​ ​cultural​ ​details

This​ ​was​ ​our​ ​weakness​ ​because​ ​the​ ​book​ ​is​ ​about​ ​animals​ ​it​ ​has​ ​the​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​differences

and​ ​different​ ​groups​ ​but​ ​not​ ​specific​ ​and​ ​real​ ​cultures.​ ​Cultures​ ​themselves​ ​and​ ​realistic​ ​ideas​ ​are

not​ ​represented​ ​within​ ​this​ ​text.​ ​So​ ​this​ ​is​ ​where​ ​the​ ​book​ ​is​ ​lacking​ ​cultural​ ​details.

Winner:
Chains​ ​written​ ​by:​ ​L​ ​Anderson
Anderson,​ ​L.​ ​(2008).​ ​Chains​.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​USA:​ ​Simon​ ​&​ ​Schuster​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young​ ​Readers.

Summary:

Chains​ ​is​ ​an​ ​emotional,​ ​and​ ​intense​ ​story​ ​about​ ​a​ ​young​ ​girl​ ​named​ ​Isabel​ ​who​ ​was​ ​a

slave​ ​during​ ​the​ ​American​ ​Revolution.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​13​ ​years​ ​old,​ ​and​ ​had​ ​a​ ​younger​ ​sister,​ ​Ruth.

One​ ​of​ ​their​ ​owners​ ​had​ ​passed​ ​away,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​girls​ ​got​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​another​ ​master​ ​in​ ​New​ ​York,

instead​ ​of​ ​being​ ​freed​ ​which​ ​they​ ​had​ ​been​ ​hopeful​ ​of,​ ​because​ ​it​ ​was​ ​their​ ​previous​ ​owners

intention.​ ​Their​ ​new​ ​place​ ​was​ ​awful,​ ​and​ ​they​ ​were​ ​mistreated​ ​and​ ​abused.​ ​Isabel​ ​knew​ ​she

needed​ ​to​ ​get​ ​her​ ​and​ ​her​ ​sister​ ​out​ ​of​ ​there.​ ​Isabel​ ​comes​ ​up​ ​with​ ​a​ ​dangerous​ ​and​ ​courageous

way​ ​for​ ​her​ ​and​ ​Ruth​ ​to​ ​escape​ ​the​ ​Lockton’s.​ ​Isabel’s​ ​plan​ ​was​ ​not​ ​as​ ​effective​ ​as​ ​she​ ​had

hoped.​ ​However,​ ​she​ ​came​ ​to​ ​an​ ​agreement​ ​to​ ​spy​ ​on​ ​her​ ​owners​ ​in​ ​exchange​ ​of​ ​her​ ​and​ ​Ruth’s
freedom.​ ​Isabel​ ​faces​ ​many​ ​daring​ ​challenges​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​her​ ​freedom.​ ​Isabel​ ​grows​ ​a​ ​lot

throughout​ ​this​ ​book,​ ​and​ ​continues​ ​to​ ​show​ ​strength​ ​and​ ​courage​ ​to​ ​save​ ​her​ ​family.

Strengths:

Part​ ​I:

-Portray​ ​cultural​ ​accuracy​ ​and​ ​authenticity​ ​of​ ​characters​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​(a)​ ​physical

characteristics,​ ​(b)​ ​intellectual​ ​abilities​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​capabilities,​ ​(c)​ ​leadership​ ​and

cooperative​ ​dimensions,​ ​and​ ​(d)​ ​social​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​status;

Throughout​ ​this​ ​entire​ ​story,​ ​the​ ​main​ ​character​ ​Isabel,​ ​portrays​ ​all​ ​of​ ​these

characteristics,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​makes​ ​the​ ​book’s​ ​theme​ ​very​ ​strong​ ​willed.​ ​The​ ​time​ ​period​ ​also​ ​gives​ ​us​ ​a

realistic​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​what​ ​the​ ​physical​ ​characteristics​ ​are​ ​during​ ​this​ ​day​ ​in​ ​age.​ ​Things​ ​such​ ​as​ ​wigs,

and​ ​petticoats​ ​are​ ​brought​ ​up​ ​which​ ​gives​ ​us​ ​an​ ​even​ ​better​ ​image​ ​of​ ​what​ ​they​ ​looked​ ​like.

Obviously​ ​the​ ​social​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​status​ ​is​ ​clear​ ​and​ ​evident​ ​considering​ ​Isabel​ ​and​ ​her​ ​sister

are​ ​slaves,​ ​and​ ​her​ ​owners​ ​have​ ​to​ ​have​ ​money.​ ​Isabel​ ​has​ ​great​ ​leadership​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving

capabilities​ ​throughout​ ​this​ ​entire​ ​story​ ​as​ ​well,​ ​as​ ​she​ ​perseveres​ ​and​ ​does​ ​her​ ​best​ ​to​ ​free​ ​her

and​ ​her​ ​sister.

Part​ ​I:

Be​ ​rich​ ​in​ ​cultural​ ​details

This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​very​ ​thorough​ ​in​ ​it’s​ ​history​ ​and​ ​some​ ​events​ ​that​ ​happen​ ​in​ ​this​ ​book​ ​such

as​ ​the​ ​planned​ ​assassination​ ​of​ ​George​ ​Washington,​ ​are​ ​part​ ​of​ ​American​ ​history​ ​today.​ ​You

learn​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​about​ ​the​ ​characters​ ​culture​ ​throughout​ ​this​ ​story​ ​as​ ​well,​ ​because​ ​you​ ​can​ ​only

imagine​ ​the​ ​types​ ​of​ ​morals​ ​and​ ​beliefs​ ​one​ ​has​ ​to​ ​have​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​slave​ ​owner.​ ​They​ ​use​ ​a

lot​ ​of​ ​rich​ ​detail​ ​to​ ​support​ ​that​ ​this​ ​book​ ​was​ ​focused​ ​in​ ​the​ ​1700’s,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​including​ ​the
pastime​ ​of​ ​the​ ​American​ ​Revolution.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​tell​ ​the​ ​author​ ​took​ ​their​ ​time​ ​to​ ​research​ ​actual

events​ ​to​ ​make​ ​this​ ​story​ ​realistic​ ​as​ ​possible,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​is​ ​very​ ​much​ ​appreciated.

Part​ ​I:

-Honor​ ​and​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​common​ ​bonds​ ​in​ ​humanity

This​ ​strength​ ​is​ ​very​ ​obvious​ ​to​ ​me​ ​considering​ ​this​ ​book​ ​is​ ​revolved​ ​around​ ​slavery​ ​and

gaining​ ​freedom.​ ​The​ ​relationships​ ​and​ ​morals​ ​people​ ​had​ ​during​ ​this​ ​time​ ​were​ ​so​ ​different

compared​ ​to​ ​what​ ​they​ ​are​ ​today.​ ​Today,​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​people​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​and​ ​have​ ​the​ ​sense

that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​all​ ​equal,​ ​and​ ​some​ ​do​ ​not.​ ​However​ ​in​ ​this​ ​time​ ​period​ ​in​ ​this​ ​book,​ ​the​ ​common

bond​ ​is​ ​the​ ​racial​ ​divide.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​celebrates​ ​diversity​ ​in​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​telling​ ​the​ ​harsh​ ​reality​ ​of​ ​a

slave,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​send​ ​the​ ​message​ ​to​ ​the​ ​readers​ ​that​ ​this​ ​happened,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​it​ ​is​ ​an​ ​unbelievable

reality​ ​that​ ​people​ ​were​ ​treated​ ​this​ ​way.

Part​ ​I:

Provide​ ​in​ ​depth​ ​treatment​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​issues:

The​ ​cultural​ ​issue​ ​in​ ​Chains​ ​is​ ​slavery.​ ​Slavery​ ​is​ ​a​ ​very​ ​sensitive​ ​and​ ​harsh​ ​topic​ ​for

many​ ​people.​ ​Black​ ​people​ ​were​ ​treated​ ​so​ ​poorly​ ​just​ ​because​ ​the​ ​color​ ​of​ ​their​ ​skin​ ​and​ ​people

like​ ​the​ ​Locktons​ ​were​ ​referred​ ​to​ ​as​ ​“master”​ ​by​ ​real​ ​human​ ​beings.​ ​This​ ​entire​ ​book​ ​in​ ​my

point​ ​of​ ​view​ ​is​ ​centered​ ​around​ ​this​ ​issue​ ​and​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​the​ ​story​ ​of​ ​a​ ​girl​ ​who​ ​fought​ ​for​ ​her​ ​and

her​ ​sister’s​ ​freedom.​ ​They​ ​had​ ​zero​ ​rights,​ ​and​ ​yet​ ​they​ ​were​ ​just​ ​people​ ​like​ ​everyone​ ​else.​ ​It​ ​is

so​ ​unbelievable​ ​that​ ​this​ ​happened,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​is​ ​great​ ​that​ ​multicultural​ ​literature​ ​tells​ ​stories​ ​like​ ​this

to​ ​make​ ​these​ ​cultural​ ​issues​ ​relevant.

Part​ ​I:

-Include​ ​characters​ ​within​ ​a​ ​cultural​ ​group​ ​or​ ​between​ ​two​ ​or​ ​more​ ​cultural​ ​groups​ ​who​ ​interact

substantively

-Include​ ​members​ ​of​ ​a​ ​“minority”​ ​group​ ​for​ ​a​ ​purpose​ ​other​ ​than​ ​filling​ ​a​ ​“quota”

I​ ​included​ ​these​ ​two​ ​strengths​ ​together​ ​because​ ​I​ ​feel​ ​as​ ​if​ ​this​ ​book​ ​covers​ ​both​ ​of​ ​them

in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​sense​ ​that​ ​the​ ​African​ ​American​ ​culture​ ​was​ ​enslaved​ ​and​ ​the​ ​main​ ​character​ ​is

African​ ​American.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​shows​ ​the​ ​relationship​ ​between​ ​white​ ​people​ ​and​ ​black​ ​people​ ​and

the​ ​cultural​ ​differences.

Part​ ​II:

-Invite​ ​reflection,​ ​critical​ ​analysis,​ ​and​ ​response

This​ ​book​ ​provides​ ​multiple​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​critical​ ​thinking,​ ​and​ ​for​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​to​ ​look

into​ ​it​ ​and​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​responses​ ​to​ ​the​ ​passages.​ ​The​ ​reader​ ​could​ ​even​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​do​ ​research

prior​ ​or​ ​following​ ​reading​ ​this​ ​book​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​validate​ ​the​ ​historical​ ​time​ ​period​ ​this​ ​book​ ​is​ ​set

in.​ ​I​ ​also​ ​think​ ​this​ ​allows​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​to​ ​critically​ ​analyze​ ​the​ ​true​ ​meaning​ ​behind​ ​this​ ​book​ ​and

what​ ​the​ ​author​ ​is​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​portray.

Part​ ​II:

-Demonstrate​ ​unique​ ​language​ ​or​ ​style

-Meet​ ​generally-accepted​ ​criteria​ ​of​ ​quality​ ​for​ ​the​ ​genre​ ​in​ ​which​ ​they​ ​are​ ​written

I​ ​used​ ​these​ ​two​ ​strengths​ ​together​ ​because​ ​this​ ​book​ ​has​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​style​ ​and​ ​theme

because​ ​the​ ​setting​ ​is​ ​in​ ​the​ ​1700’s​ ​during​ ​the​ ​American​ ​Revolution​ ​where​ ​slavery​ ​and​ ​inequality

was​ ​very​ ​prevalent.​ ​ ​It’s​ ​also​ ​through​ ​the​ ​viewpoint​ ​of​ ​a​ ​very​ ​young​ ​girl​ ​who​ ​has​ ​been​ ​a​ ​slave

with​ ​her​ ​younger​ ​sister,​ ​and​ ​so​ ​it​ ​gives​ ​the​ ​book​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​emotional​ ​trauma​ ​and​ ​strength​ ​at​ ​the
same​ ​time.​ ​It​ ​allows​ ​young​ ​adult​ ​readers​ ​to​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​the​ ​book,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​motivation

because​ ​Isabel​ ​is​ ​fighting​ ​for​ ​her​ ​and​ ​her​ ​sisters​ ​freedom.

Part​ ​II:

-Having​ ​an​ ​appealing​ ​format​ ​and​ ​be​ ​of​ ​enduring​ ​quality

This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​enduring​ ​to​ ​anyone​ ​of​ ​all​ ​ages.​ ​Every​ ​person​ ​who​ ​reads​ ​this​ ​book​ ​will​ ​more

than​ ​likely​ ​be​ ​compassionate​ ​and​ ​sympathetic​ ​towards​ ​Isabel​ ​and​ ​Ruth,​ ​and​ ​slavery​ ​in​ ​general.

Even​ ​though​ ​the​ ​intended​ ​audience​ ​is​ ​young​ ​adult​ ​readers,​ ​I​ ​think​ ​this​ ​can​ ​appeal​ ​to​ ​anyone

because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​rich​ ​history​ ​and​ ​cultural​ ​knowledge​ ​this​ ​book​ ​contains.​ ​With​ ​the​ ​picture​ ​content

the​ ​book​ ​has​ ​also,​ ​it​ ​provides​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​with​ ​a​ ​closer​ ​look​ ​into​ ​what​ ​this​ ​time​ ​period​ ​and

experience​ ​looked​ ​like,​ ​which​ ​creates​ ​a​ ​more​ ​realistic​ ​quality.

Why​ ​we​ ​chose​ ​this​ ​book:

We​ ​chose​ ​Chains​ ​for​ ​the​ ​award​ ​winner​ ​because​​ w

​ e​ ​felt​ ​as​ ​though​ ​it​ ​exemplifies​ ​a

multicultural​ ​book​ ​in​ ​the​ ​best​ ​way.​ ​When​ ​reading​ ​through​ ​the​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​Notable​ ​Books

for​ ​a​ ​Global​ ​Society,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​prevalent​ ​that​ ​Chains​ ​includes​ ​all​ ​the​ ​necessary​ ​criteria.​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​does

this​ ​book​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​criteria,​ ​it​ ​exceeds​ ​its​ ​expectations​ ​by​ ​being​ ​an​ ​amazingly​ ​written,​ ​culturally

aware,​ ​and​ ​detailed​ ​book.​ ​Because​ ​this​ ​book​ ​discusses​ ​the​ ​issue​ ​of​ ​slavery,​ ​readers​ ​can​ ​learn​ ​a​ ​lot

about​ ​this​ ​topic​ ​from​ ​the​ ​storyline.​ ​Readers​ ​can​ ​almost​ ​feel​ ​as​ ​though​ ​they​ ​can​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​what​ ​the

characters​ ​are​ ​going​ ​through​ ​and​ ​imagine​ ​what​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​like​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​this​ ​day​ ​in​ ​age

(Revolutionary​ ​War)​ ​ ​that​ ​the​ ​book​ ​discusses.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​gives​ ​readers​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​connect

emotionally​ ​while​ ​reading​ ​about​ ​the​ ​struggle​ ​Ruth​ ​and​ ​her​ ​family​ ​endure,​ ​along​ ​with
informational​ ​knowledge​ ​about​ ​what​ ​it​ ​was​ ​like​ ​to​ ​be​ ​african​ ​american​ ​and​ ​a​ ​slave.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​is

written​ ​in​ ​a​ ​style​ ​that​ ​flows​ ​well​ ​and​ ​is​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​follow​ ​along​ ​with​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​The​ ​context​ ​keeps

entertainment​ ​and​ ​readers​ ​stay​ ​interested​ ​by​ ​the​ ​events​ ​occurring.​ ​ ​Being​ ​a​ ​non-fiction​ ​book,​ ​we

felt​ ​as​ ​though​ ​this​ ​book​ ​did​ ​a​ ​great​ ​job​ ​of​ ​describing​ ​slavery​ ​and​ ​the​ ​revolutionary​ ​war​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way

that​ ​was​ ​accurate​ ​and​ ​true.​ ​We​ ​would​ ​recommend​ ​this​ ​book​ ​for​ ​a​ ​classroom​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is

educational​ ​and​ ​interesting.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​meets​ ​all​ ​the​ ​criteria​ ​of​ ​NBGS​ ​and​ ​is​ ​an​ ​excellent​ ​example

of​ ​what​ ​a​ ​multicultural​ ​book​ ​should​ ​be.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​would​ ​be​ ​best​ ​used​ ​during​ ​a​ ​history​ ​lesson​ ​so

that​ ​classes​ ​can​ ​further​ ​discuss​ ​the​ ​Revolutionary​ ​war.

Honor​ ​Nominees:

Beautiful​ ​Moon:​ ​A​ ​Child’s​ ​Prayer

Bolden,​ ​T.,​ ​&​ ​Velasquez,​ ​E.​ ​Beautiful​ ​moon:​ ​A​ ​child's​ ​prayer​.

Summary:​ ​This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​about​ ​a​ ​little​ ​boy​ ​who​ ​often​ ​prayers​ ​for​ ​homeless​ ​people,​ ​those​ ​in​ ​need​ ​of

food,​ ​people​ ​fighting​ ​at​ ​war,​ ​and​ ​family.​ ​This​ ​little​ ​boy​ ​is​ ​a​ ​very​ ​young​ ​child​ ​in​ ​a​ ​world​ ​full​ ​of

struggle​ ​and​ ​loss.​ ​He​ ​realizes​ ​this​ ​and​ ​that​ ​is​ ​why​ ​he​ ​prays​ ​for​ ​the​ ​hurting​ ​and​ ​hopeless.​ ​He​ ​wants

the​ ​world​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​better​ ​life.​ ​The​ ​book​ ​is​ ​told​ ​from​ ​the​ ​boy's​ ​point​ ​of​ ​view​ ​adding​ ​emotion​ ​to

the​ ​context.​ ​Also,​ ​this​ ​story​ ​is​ ​very​ ​well​ ​illustrated​ ​and​ ​builds​ ​up​ ​the​ ​tension​ ​of​ ​what​ ​is​ ​occurring

in​ ​the​ ​story.​ ​The​ ​story​ ​reminds​ ​its​ ​readers​ ​to​ ​be​ ​grateful​ ​and​ ​thankful​ ​for​ ​the​ ​gifts​ ​in​ ​ ​life.

Part​ ​I:

-portraying​ ​cultural​ ​accuracy​ ​and​ ​authenticity​ ​of​ ​characters​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of:​ ​ ​physical

characteristics​ ​(b)​ ​intellectual​ ​abilities​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​capabilities,​ ​(c)​ ​leadership​ ​and

cooperative​ ​dimensions,​ ​and​ ​(d)​ ​social​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​status;

In​ ​this​ ​story​ ​there​ ​are​ ​many​ ​characters​ ​who​ ​are​ ​introduced.​ ​These​ ​characters​ ​are​ ​revealed

to​ ​the​ ​readers​ ​in​ ​different​ ​ways​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​experience​ ​for​ ​the​ ​readers​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​different

people​ ​from​ ​different​ ​backgrounds.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​teaching​ ​readers​ ​differences​ ​and​ ​the​ ​understanding​ ​of

those​ ​differences.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​book,​ ​it​ ​shows​ ​the​ ​boy​ ​who​ ​is​ ​in​ ​his​ ​cozy​ ​and​ ​nice​ ​home.​ ​He​ ​has

everything​ ​you​ ​would​ ​need.​ ​A​ ​bed,​ ​warmth,​ ​a​ ​roof​ ​over​ ​his​ ​head,​ ​but​ ​yet​ ​he​ ​sees​ ​a​ ​woman

outside​ ​homeless​ ​on​ ​a​ ​bench​ ​with​ ​the​ ​minimal​ ​needs​ ​being​ ​met.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​compare​ ​the​ ​two​ ​and
learn​ ​from​ ​the​ ​both​ ​of​ ​them.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​see​ ​more​ ​comparisons​ ​of​ ​people​ ​with​ ​different​ ​lives​ ​in​ ​this

story.​ ​For​ ​example,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​book​ ​where​ ​a​ ​nicely​ ​dressed​ ​wealthy​ ​man​ ​in​ ​on​ ​a​ ​train

and​ ​next​ ​to​ ​him​ ​is​ ​a​ ​soldier​ ​in​ ​his​ ​uniform.​ ​Two​ ​different​ ​people​ ​with​ ​two​ ​different​ ​backgrounds.

Readers​ ​eyes​ ​can​ ​really​ ​be​ ​opened​ ​when​ ​reading​ ​this​ ​and​ ​realizing​ ​something​ ​that​ ​has​ ​always

been​ ​there,​ ​always​ ​apart​ ​of​ ​real​ ​life,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​don’t​ ​often​ ​sit​ ​back​ ​and​ ​really​ ​think​ ​about​ ​these

things.​ ​ ​The​ ​leadership​ ​aspect​ ​that​ ​I​ ​see​ ​in​ ​this​ ​story​ ​is​ ​the​ ​boy​ ​taking​ ​charge​ ​by​ ​praying​ ​for​ ​these

people.​ ​Also,​ ​how​ ​he​ ​cares​ ​for​ ​others​ ​is​ ​an​ ​example​ ​being​ ​set​ ​throughout​ ​this​ ​whole​ ​story.​ ​ ​The

problems​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​solved​ ​within​ ​this​ ​story​ ​but​ ​the​ ​attempts​ ​and​ ​the​ ​abilities​ ​this​ ​little​ ​boy​ ​has

to​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​world​ ​and​ ​understand​ ​how​ ​people​ ​should​ ​treat​ ​others/​ ​think​ ​of​ ​others​ ​is

impeccable.​ ​Because​ ​he​ ​cares​ ​so​ ​deeply​ ​about​ ​the​ ​struggling​ ​and​ ​hurting​ ​he​ ​shows​ ​how​ ​wanting

others​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​better​ ​life​ ​is​ ​so​ ​kind​ ​and​ ​important.​ ​Also,​ ​how​ ​the​ ​people​ ​he​ ​cares​ ​for​ ​are​ ​african

american​ ​is​ ​a​ ​lesson​ ​to​ ​be​ ​taught​ ​for​ ​readers​ ​who​ ​may​ ​have​ ​preconceived​ ​ideas​ ​about​ ​race​ ​and

roles​ ​in​ ​different​ ​races.

Part​ ​I:

-Be​ ​rich​ ​in​ ​cultural​ ​details​ ​and​ ​honor​ ​and​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​common​ ​bonds​ ​in

humanity

This​ ​book​ ​touches​ ​on​ ​many​ ​cultures​ ​and​ ​honors​ ​the​ ​differences​ ​within​ ​one​ ​another​ ​by

using​ ​african​ ​americans​ ​in​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​light​ ​when​ ​often​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past​ ​they​ ​have​ ​not​ ​been​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​in

such​ ​a​ ​great​ ​way.​ ​Also​ ​it​ ​shows​ ​how​ ​people​ ​from​ ​different​ ​backgrounds​ ​are​ ​just​ ​as​ ​important​ ​as

another​ ​person​ ​when​ ​the​ ​boy​ ​is​ ​praying​ ​for​ ​them,​ ​showing​ ​care.​ ​Also,​ ​by​ ​touching​ ​on​ ​issues​ ​that

have​ ​been​ ​relevant​ ​for​ ​years​ ​and​ ​are​ ​still​ ​relevant​ ​today,​ ​the​ ​author​ ​draws​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​how​ ​we
should​ ​care​ ​about​ ​these​ ​problems​ ​and​ ​the​ ​people​ ​who​ ​go​ ​through​ ​them​ ​everyday.​ ​The​ ​social

economic​ ​aspect​ ​of​ ​this​ ​story​ ​is​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​the​ ​struggling​ ​people​ ​like:​ ​The​ ​hungry​ ​at​ ​the​ ​food​ ​bank

and​ ​the​ ​homeless​ ​woman​ ​on​ ​the​ ​bench.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​see​ ​the​ ​difference​ ​in​ ​the​ ​wealthy​ ​man​ ​taking​ ​the

train.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​see​ ​clearly​ ​there​ ​are​ ​people​ ​really​ ​struggling​ ​and​ ​people​ ​who​ ​get​ ​by​ ​fine​ ​and

exceed​ ​that.

Part​ ​I:

-Provide​ ​in-depth​ ​treatment​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​issues

The​ ​issues​ ​discussed​ ​in​ ​this​ ​story​ ​are,​ ​homelessness,​ ​being​ ​poor,​ ​social​ ​issues,​ ​and

segregation.​ ​The​ ​author​ ​depicted​ ​people​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​african​ ​american​ ​people​ ​can​ ​have​ ​jobs​ ​and​ ​be

wealthy,​ ​and​ ​how​ ​people​ ​can​ ​treat​ ​one​ ​another​ ​with​ ​kindness.​ ​The​ ​author​ ​also​ ​went​ ​into​ ​detail

about​ ​how​ ​we​ ​should​ ​care​ ​about​ ​people​ ​who​ ​are​ ​struggling​ ​by​ ​using​ ​this​ ​storyline.

Part​ ​I:

-Include​ ​characters​ ​within​ ​a​ ​cultural​ ​group​ ​or​ ​between​ ​two​ ​or​ ​more​ ​cultural​ ​groups​ ​who​ ​interact

substantively​ ​and​ ​authentically

In​ ​this​ ​book​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​comparison​ ​between​ ​races​ ​and​ ​specifically​ ​white​ ​and​ ​black

individuals​ ​because​ ​of​ ​their​ ​interactions.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​story​ ​it​ ​shows​ ​how​ ​white​ ​and​ ​black​ ​people​ ​can

interact​ ​well​ ​together.​ ​This​ ​shows​ ​how​ ​people​ ​should​ ​treat​ ​each​ ​other​ ​and​ ​how​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​hard​ ​to

love​ ​one​ ​another​ ​despite​ ​differences.​ ​Example,​ ​when​ ​the​ ​black​ ​man​ ​serves​ ​the​ ​white​ ​woman​ ​food

at​ ​the​ ​food​ ​bank.

Part​ ​II:
-​Invite​ ​reflection,​ ​critical​ ​analysis,​ ​and​ ​response

This​ ​book​ ​has​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​different​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​reflection.​ ​One​ ​being​ ​reflecting​ ​on​ ​if

you​ ​are​ ​the​ ​type​ ​of​ ​person​ ​that​ ​thinks​ ​and​ ​cares​ ​about​ ​those​ ​less​ ​fortunate.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​act​ ​on​ ​your

thoughts?​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​care​ ​about​ ​those​ ​in​ ​need?​ ​If​ ​not​ ​why​ ​aren't​ ​you​ ​or​ ​why​ ​don’t​ ​you?​ ​Another

aspect​ ​of​ ​reflection​ ​could​ ​be​ ​are​ ​you​ ​struggling​ ​or​ ​are​ ​you​ ​more​ ​fortunate​ ​than​ ​others?​ ​Thinking

about​ ​your​ ​thoughts,​ ​your​ ​life,​ ​could​ ​really​ ​occur​ ​after​ ​reading​ ​this​ ​story.

Part​ ​II:

-Having​ ​an​ ​appealing​ ​format​ ​and​ ​be​ ​of​ ​enduring​ ​quality

This​ ​story​ ​is​ ​appealing​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​real​ ​and​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point.​ ​It​ ​talks​ ​about​ ​important​ ​topics

and​ ​portrays​ ​them​ ​very​ ​nicely.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​this​ ​book​ ​could​ ​also​ ​be​ ​appealing​ ​to​ ​older​ ​people​ ​because

it​ ​shows​ ​if​ ​a​ ​little​ ​boy​ ​can​ ​come​ ​to​ ​think​ ​and​ ​act​ ​this​ ​way,​ ​why​ ​can’t​ ​adults.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​this​ ​could​ ​be

an​ ​eye​ ​opening​ ​book​ ​for​ ​some​ ​hard​ ​hearted​ ​adults.

Part​ ​II:

-Demonstrate​ ​unique​ ​language​ ​or​ ​styl​e

The​ ​language​ ​and​ ​style​ ​of​ ​this​ ​book​ ​is​ ​different​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​unlike​ ​any​ ​story​ ​I​ ​have​ ​read.

This​ ​is​ ​because​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​child​ ​praying​ ​and​ ​worrying​ ​about​ ​real,​ ​hard,​ ​and​ ​scary,​ ​life​ ​issues​ ​that

adults​ ​are​ ​facing.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​it​ ​was​ ​clever​ ​of​ ​the​ ​author​ ​to​ ​write​ ​this​ ​book​ ​this​ ​way​ ​because​ ​it​ ​shows

how​ ​children​ ​are​ ​innocent​ ​and​ ​kind​ ​hearted​ ​but​ ​yet​ ​they​ ​know​ ​so​ ​much​ ​more​ ​than​ ​we​ ​think​ ​they

do.​ ​Because​ ​there​ ​aren't​ ​many​ ​children's​ ​books​ ​where​ ​children​ ​are​ ​portrayed​ ​like​ ​this,​ ​I​ ​think​ ​it​ ​is

unique​ ​and​ ​interesting.

Overall,​ ​this​ ​story​ ​does​ ​not​ ​have​ ​any​ ​weaknesses​ ​in​ ​our​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​is​ ​very​ ​well​ ​written.​ ​This​ ​book

is​ ​exceptional​ ​and​ ​we​ ​would​ ​recommend​ ​it​ ​to​ ​many.

Where​ ​the​ ​Mountain​ ​Meets​ ​the​ ​Moon​ ​written​ ​by:​ ​Grace​ ​Lin

Lin,​ ​G.​ ​(2009).​ ​Where​ ​the​ ​mountain​ ​meets​ ​the​ ​moon.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Little,​ ​Brown​ ​and​ ​Co

Summary:

This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​about​ ​a​ ​girl​ ​named​ ​Minli.​ ​She​ ​is​ ​apart​ ​of​ ​a​ ​chinese​ ​culture​ ​and​ ​learns​ ​more

about​ ​it​ ​through​ ​the​ ​stories​ ​told​ ​by​ ​her​ ​father,​ ​Pa.​ ​He​ ​tells​ ​the​ ​tales​ ​of​ ​a​ ​man​ ​of​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​who

knew​ ​about​ ​the​ ​future.​ ​She​ ​loved​ ​these​ ​stories​ ​and​ ​her​ ​family.​ ​These​ ​tales​ ​brought​ ​her​ ​back​ ​to

her​ ​true​ ​culture.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​the​ ​struggles​ ​Minli​ ​and​ ​her​ ​family​ ​went​ ​through​ ​was​ ​that​ ​they​ ​were​ ​very

poor.​ ​This​ ​causes​ ​her​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​and​ ​find​ ​the​ ​man​ ​of​ ​the​ ​moon.​ ​When​ ​she​ ​discovers​ ​him​ ​she​ ​asks

him​ ​to​ ​make​ ​her​ ​family​ ​wealthy.​ ​He​ ​helps​ ​her​ ​and​ ​her​ ​family​ ​by​ ​giving​ ​them​ ​a​ ​pearl​ ​of​ ​a​ ​dragon.

The​ ​pearl​ ​gives​ ​wealth​ ​to​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​village.

Part​ ​I:

-Portraying​ ​cultural​ ​accuracy​ ​and​ ​authenticity​ ​of​ ​characters​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of

(a) physical​ ​characteristics,​ ​(b)​ ​intellectual​ ​abilities​ ​and​ ​problem​ ​solving​ ​capabilities,​ ​©

leadership​ ​and​ ​cooperative​ ​dimensions,​ ​and​ ​(d)​ ​social​ ​and​ ​economic​ ​status;

In​ ​this​ ​story,​ ​the​ ​book​ ​develops​ ​the​ ​character​ ​Minli​ ​and​ ​her​ ​adventure.​ ​The​ ​author​ ​touches

on​ ​her​ ​low​ ​income​ ​and​ ​her​ ​family's​ ​struggles.​ ​The​ ​book​ ​discusses​ ​her​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​help​ ​her​ ​family​ ​in

their​ ​struggle.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​story,​ ​Minli​ ​has​ ​to​ ​lead​ ​her​ ​entire​ ​group​ ​to​ ​their​ ​ultimate​ ​destination.​ ​This
part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​book​ ​develops​ ​her​ ​characters​ ​leadership​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​take​ ​charge​ ​in​ ​a​ ​time​ ​of

need.​ ​Because​ ​this​ ​story​ ​is​ ​explaining​ ​throughout​ ​how​ ​Ba​ ​was​ ​revealing​ ​stories​ ​to​ ​Minli,​ ​they

were​ ​probably​ ​stories​ ​being​ ​passed​ ​down​ ​in​ ​their​ ​culture​ ​from​ ​generation​ ​to​ ​generation.​ ​A​ ​lot​ ​of

cultures​ ​do​ ​this​ ​and​ ​it​ ​gives​ ​an​ ​example​ ​of​ ​how​ ​to​ ​find​ ​connections​ ​in​ ​culture​ ​through​ ​these​ ​tales

being​ ​told.

Part​ ​I:

Be​ ​rich​ ​in​ ​cultural​ ​details

Because​ ​this​ ​story​ ​uses​ ​chinese​ ​culture​ ​through​ ​the​ ​telling​ ​of​ ​chinese​ ​folktales,​ ​I​ ​believe

that​ ​it​ ​has​ ​a​ ​good​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​text​ ​that​ ​include​ ​cultural​ ​details.​ ​It​ ​starts​ ​out​ ​introducing​ ​the

character​ ​Minli​ ​who​ ​is​ ​a​ ​poor​ ​chinese​ ​girl​ ​in​ ​China.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​book​ ​goes​ ​on​ ​you​ ​follow​ ​this​ ​girl​ ​in

her​ ​adventures​ ​that​ ​often​ ​include​ ​chinese​ ​culture.

Part​ ​II:

-Demonstrate​ ​unique​ ​language​ ​or​ ​style;

This​ ​story​ ​has​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​style​ ​to​ ​it​ ​because​ ​the​ ​author​ ​has​ ​added​ ​illustrations​ ​to​ ​it.​ ​She​ ​created

them​ ​herself​ ​to​ ​add​ ​to​ ​the​ ​context​ ​of​ ​the​ ​book.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​unique​ ​because​ ​many​ ​chapter​ ​books​ ​do​ ​not

include​ ​an​ ​illustration​ ​aspect.

Part​ ​I:

-Honor​ ​and​ ​celebrate​ ​diversity​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​common​ ​bonds​ ​in​ ​humanity;​ ​ ​Provide​ ​in-depth

treatment​ ​of​ ​cultural​ ​issues;

​ ​Because​ ​Minli​ ​and​ ​her​ ​family​ ​often​ ​struggle​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​book​ ​with​ ​money,​ ​we​ ​felt​ ​as

though​ ​other​ ​struggles​ ​could​ ​have​ ​been​ ​touched​ ​on​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​this​ ​book​ ​gave​ ​for
multiculturalism.​ ​Although​ ​it​ ​did​ ​a​ ​good​ ​job​ ​of​ ​going​ ​into​ ​detail​ ​on​ ​their​ ​problems,​ ​that​ ​is​ ​where

we​ ​find​ ​a​ ​weakness.

Overall,​ ​this​ ​story​ ​is​ ​very​ ​well​ ​written​ ​will​ ​little​ ​weaknesses​ ​and​ ​this​ ​is​ ​why​ ​we​ ​chose​ ​it​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a

winner​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Honor​ ​Nominees.

 Conclusion

We​ ​took​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​away​ ​from​ ​this​ ​project.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​we​ ​will​ ​be​ ​better​ ​prepared​ ​teachers​ ​and​ ​will

be​ ​culturally​ ​aware.​ ​We​ ​really​ ​enjoyed​ ​how​ ​we​ ​had​ ​to​ ​carefully​ ​examine​ ​each​ ​book,​ ​and​ ​really

go​ ​into​ ​depth​ ​on​ ​the​ ​strengths​ ​and​ ​weaknesses​ ​of​ ​the,​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​criteria.​ ​I​ ​also​ ​think​ ​the

meaning​ ​behind​ ​multicultural​ ​literature​ ​is​ ​such​ ​an​ ​important​ ​one,​ ​that​ ​teachers​ ​have​ ​an

understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​necessity​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​students​ ​about​ ​these​ ​books.​ ​It​ ​really​ ​gives​ ​the​ ​reader​ ​the

opportunity​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​about​ ​what​ ​it​ ​is​ ​like​ ​being​ ​prejudiced,​ ​judged,​ ​unprivileged,​ ​and

discriminated.​ ​It​ ​almost​ ​gives​ ​a​ ​feeling​ ​of​ ​realization​ ​that​ ​these​ ​problems​ ​are​ ​real,​ ​and​ ​they​ ​are

happening.​ ​We​ ​like​ ​to​ ​hope​ ​that​ ​it​ ​will​ ​make​ ​students​ ​motivated​ ​to​ ​be​ ​better,​ ​do​ ​better,​ ​and​ ​make

a​ ​difference.

Cultural​ ​awareness​ ​is​ ​so​ ​important​ ​for​ ​teachers​ ​and​ ​students.​ ​We​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​present​ ​and

understand​ ​that​ ​not​ ​everyone​ ​comes​ ​from​ ​the​ ​same​ ​background,​ ​religion,​ ​ethnicity,​ ​and​ ​more.

These​ ​books​ ​are​ ​extremely​ ​helpful​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​not​ ​being​ ​so​ ​judgemental​ ​to​ ​others​ ​that​ ​are

different​ ​than​ ​you,​ ​and​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​that​ ​everyone​ ​has​ ​their​ ​own​ ​story.​ ​From​ ​critiquing​ ​these

books,​ ​we​ ​have​ ​gained​ ​so​ ​much​ ​knowledge​ ​and​ ​curiosity​ ​about​ ​these​ ​particular​ ​topics.​ ​Overall,​ ​I

think​ ​that​ ​this​ ​project​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​great​ ​tool​ ​for​ ​the​ ​future,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​was​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​opportunity​ ​to

learn​ ​and​ ​grow​ ​as​ ​students​ ​and​ ​teachers.

 Bibliogrpahy

Anderson,​ ​L.​ ​(2008).​ ​Chains​.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​USA:​ ​Simon​ ​&​ ​Schuster​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young​ ​Readers.
Print.

Bolden,​ ​T.,​ ​&​ ​Velasquez,​ ​E.​ ​Beautiful​ ​moon:​ ​A​ ​child's​ ​prayer​.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Abrams,​ ​Harry
N.,​ ​Inc.​ ​Print.

Baskin,​ ​N.​ ​R.​ ​(2015).​ ​Ruby​ ​on​ ​the​ ​outside.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Simon​ ​&​ ​Schuster​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young
Readers.

Dumont,​ ​J.​ ​(2013).​ ​The​ ​chickens​ ​build​ ​a​ ​wall.​ ​Grand​ ​Rapids,​ ​MI:​ ​Eerdmans​ ​Books​ ​for​ ​Young
Readers.

Landt,​ ​S.​ ​M.​ ​(2006).​ ​Multicultural​ ​literature​ ​and​ ​young​ ​adolescents:​ ​A​ ​kaleidoscope​ ​of

opportunity.​ ​Journal​ ​of​ ​Adolescent​ ​&​ ​Adult​ ​Literacy,​ ​49:8.​ ​690-697.

Lin,​ ​Grace.​ ​Starry​ ​River​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Sky​.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Little,​ ​Brown​ ​and​ ​Company.​ ​Print.

Lin,​ ​G.​ ​(2009).​ ​Where​ ​the​ ​mountain​ ​meets​ ​the​ ​moon.​ ​New​ ​York,​ ​NY:​ ​Little,​ ​Brown​ ​and​ ​Co

Tunnell,​ ​M.​ ​O.,​ ​Jacobs,​ ​J.​ ​S.,​ ​Young,​ ​T.​ ​A.,​ ​&​ ​Bryan,​ ​G.​ ​(2016).​ ​Children’s​ ​literature,​ ​briefly.

Upper​ ​Saddle​ ​River,​ ​NJ:​ ​Pearson​ ​Education,​ ​Inc

Mezel,​ ​Peter​ ​and​ ​Faith​ ​D'Aluisio.​ ​(2008).​ ​What​ ​the​ ​World​ ​Eats​.​ ​Berkeley,​ ​CA:​ ​Tricycle​ ​Press.
Print.
Wong,​ ​J.S.​ ​(2002).​ ​Apple​ ​Pie​ ​4th​ ​of​ ​July​.​ ​Sand​ ​Diego,​ ​CA:​ ​Harcourt.​ ​Print.