Review: Child of the Civil Rights Movement

Child of the Civil Rights Movement
by Paula Young Shelton
Illustrated by Raul Colon

 

Paula Young Shelton tells her memories of her family's experiences and participation in the Civil Rights Movement. Reading this story gave me a child's perspective on Jim Crow laws in restaurants, freedom rides, and the march from Selma to Montgomery. 

Paula's parents were heroic in their patience and perseverance, and Paula tells of conversations with Uncle Martin (Martin Luther King, Jr!).

Video Review: Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People

Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People
by Monica Brown
Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Pablo Neruda from Lisa O'Dea on Vimeo.

Review: May B.

May B.
by Caroline Starr Rose
2012

Eleven year old May Betts is sent to live with her neighbors on the Kansas prairie to earn an extra income for her family. Things are not quite right, and May ends up being abandoned. She is 15 miles from home, but has no way to contact her own family, so she must survive on her own for 5 months. May is courageous and determined as she fights the harsh Kansas winter. Her story is told in powerful free verse poetry.

Review: Wumbers

Wumbers
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Disclaimer: When I first saw this book I thought I would hate it.

I do NOT like text message shorthand- I don't use it in texts, and I especially don't like it when it's used outside of texts. However, this was a really clever book that was actually fun to read. The book is written in words and uses numbers to stand in for some sounds, like l8r and s2pendous. At times it feels like a puzzle. I laughed in delight at figuring out some of the words.

My favorite quote from the book comes from the endpapers: "What do you think you'll be like as 18ager?"

Review: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
by: Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

Dave The Potter from Lisa O'Dea on Vimeo.

Review: Major Taylor Champion Cyclist

Major Taylor Champion Cyclist
by: Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrated by: James E. Ransome

Video Review: Looking at Lincoln

Looking at Lincoln
by: Maira Kalman
2012

Looking At Lincoln from Lisa O'Dea on Vimeo.