Nonfiction: "Finding Winnie" by Lindsay Mattick

I chose the nonfiction book “Finding Winnie” written by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. This is an award winning book (2016 Caldecott Medal) about the true story that inspired the famous stories of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin. The story is about a veterinarian named Harry Colebourn who in 1914 was on his way to take care of horses during WWI, he found a baby bear cub that ended up following him home. He named the bear cub “Winnie” which was short for the town he was from Winnipeg. Eventually they travelled to a zoo in London and met a boy named Christopher Robin Milne. His father, A. A. Milne, is the one who first created the stories of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin.

I did the research on this story and the story is credible and accurate! The veterinarian ends up taking the bear to war, and while doing research I found photos of the veterinarian and the bear from the 1900’s!

From the social justice elements, this book includes respect for others because the veterinarian shows compassion for the bear and all other animals. Respect for others does not only apply to people, respecting animals is an important part of social justice as well.

This book can be used in the classroom in various ways. The book can be used to show the history of Winnie-the-Pooh that many students are probably not aware of. Students can then take other famous kids stories and create their own “history” or origin of the story.
 

Biography: "The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain" by Peter Sís

Biography: When Marian Sang

Book's Title: When Marian Sang

Author: Pam Munoz Ryan

Summary

The book introduces that Marian Anderson is known as well as her historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. The last of pages shows an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. "While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of her voice, the strength of her character, and the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story" (Ryan, M. P., 2002). I chose the book because she is important person as woman and black person. 

Typical Biographies

The book is episodic, which is life stories focusing on certain events/periods. Also, the book takes about her biographies of the past. I was surprised that Marian impressed a Metropolitan Opera performance of the tragic Madame Butterfly. She had challenge herself to become professional singer. She traveled different countries, then she came back the United States. She sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. The illustration is brown and color of the originality.

                                                                 Madame Butterfly

https://www.goldstar.com/events/new-york-ny/madama-butterfly-2

Six Elements of Social Justice Curriculum

The book included Self-love and knowledge and respect for other. Because all people honor woman and share her experience. I want to encourage make "social change" in the over world. When the Lincoln Memorial day, students can discuss about the book in the class. Why black women still have discrimination? How to respect black women? I will bring the book in the class.

Biography: 'Langston Hughes: American Poet'

Nonfiction: Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship

'Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship'

Written by: Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu

Illustrated (Photographs) by: Peter Greste

The book I chose is called 'Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship' written by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu and illustrated by Peter Greste. 

This nonfiction book is a factual book that is integrated with a story about a hippo and a giant tortoise, their lives, their tendencies and the unique friendship that is created when the hippo is all alone after the tsunami hit Southeast Asia in 2004. The intended reader are able to learn factual information about hippos and tortoises, along with a true and compelling story about Owen the hippo and Mzee the giant tortoise. 

As mentioned previously, this book is a nonfiction picture book. This book portrays an accurate representation of a nonfiction book because it includes facts that are current and complete, the scope is appropriate to both the reader and the subject at hand, the ideas are clearly developed and presented in a logical sequence, along with a story plot line. In addition, this book is both attractive to the reader through the use of photography and a simple, yet interesting writing style. Overall, this book fits the criteria of a nonfiction picture book and was very intriguing to read!

Of the Six Elements Of Social Justice, this book best represents respect for others because we can see how two completely different species can come together and create a special bond during times of tragedy, respect one another, and show love and appreciation. 

This book would be a great lesson in social studies, specifically to incorporate geography and maps. The students could visually see where these animals originate from and where the tsunami hit and the damages that occurred. This could also be integrated into a language arts topic, where students are to research on other unique friendships that have been made from unexpected species and write a report that could be shared with the class. 

Non-Fiction: Count Your Way through Japan

Book's Title: Count Your Way through Japan

Author: Jim Haskins

Illustrations: Martin Skoro

NON FICTIONS

The book selected is "Tiny creatures the world of microbes"  by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Emily 

Sutton. The author Nicola Davies is an English zoologist and writer. Davies was married to Mark 

Harrison, and she has two children. Now she is single. 

This book explains that  there are living thing so tiny millions could fit on a dot. The author explains 

with a simple language the science of microbiology. One of the six elements of social justice for this

 book is social movements and social change because one part of the book explains how to prevent 

illness, in the community and house with simple advice. The students can do a campaign about the 

importance of keeping the community and environment clean to prevent illness and death. 

this book has some components of the non fictions book such as a glossary , timeline , index, but 

lacks an author note and acknowledgements. 

BIOGRAPHY .

The book select for this week is Thomas Edison inventor scientist and genius by Lori Mortense Illustrated by jefrey Thompson.


The author Lori Mortensen  has more than 350 stories and articles for children  which have appeared in magazines such as highlights Lady bug, Wild outdoor  World , etc. She is the author of six early reader biographies and two mid grade nonfiction books due out in 2007.She is working on all sorts of new projects filled with extraordinary people and quirky characters that delight her writing soul. Lori lives in Northern California with her family.

This book tells the story of Thomas Edison's life in a way that kids can understand and relate to. The book mentions several events from his life, including his marriage and his invention of the phonograph.

One of this elements that the book reflects is self love and knowledge, Thomas had to earn money to by supplies for his experiments. When he was 12 , he sold candy and newspapers on a train. Hen also printed this own newspaper, the weekly Herald.  This story teach to students  how achieved  their dreams with decision and efforts.

Biography - Togo

NF - G is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book

Historical Fiction

This is an historical fiction written by Barbara Olenyik Morrow and illustrated by Leonard Jenkins. This book discusses about the Underground Railroad times where runaway slaves were very much present. Did the event happen exactly in reality? Perhaps, but that is why it is fiction because the names may be changed or the events are a bit different.

Social Justice features "Element Two, students gain respect for the history and characteristics of people different from themselves. By building on the natural empathy of children, teachers encourage students to care about “unfair” conditions that have affected others." She figured out about slavery and how it was wrong to meddle into business that was not hers to deal with. However, she did consider the fact of what would happen if she helped the female slaves. 

How I would use it in my classroom: I will be using this book for social studies while we're discussing the slavery during the civil war as well as discussing the ethics of what the girl did with runaway slaves.

Historical Fiction: "Encounter"

               
                      The historical fiction book that I chose is called Encounter written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by David Shannon. This is the story of Christopher Columbus “discovering” the new world, but through the eyes of a young Taino boy. This story shows a perspective of this story that is rarely told. This perspective shows the fear that the Taino people felt and shows the greed of Christopher Columbus.
                This story does not have specific details including dates and places, but the information on the jacket sleeve gives a little bit of background information about Christopher Columbus and the Taino people. This perspective seems highly plausible that this was the accurate perspective of many of the Arawak people during this time. Since there isn’t any documentation to reference, based on the stories of Native American people this story seems accurate.
                   From the Social Justice handout, the Encounter includes elements of raising awareness. This story is rarely told if at all, and the more stories that can show the oppressed groups’ perspective is valuable. Too many stories are from the majority group and the oppressor’s perspective, but this perspective isn’t ever the full story.
                 In the classroom, this book can be used to bring up the discussion about different perspectives. Many students may have never thought about the perspectives of Native Americans like this before. This book can help to teach students that it is important to always investigate multiple perspectives of a historical event in order to get a full picture.

Historical Fiction: Miss Rumphius

Book's Title: Miss Rumphius

Author: Barbara Cooney

Historical Fiction: 'The Other Side'

The book that I chosen  is Memoirs of a  Geisha by Arthur Golden. Golden born on December 6, 1956 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. His occupation is writer the genre is historical fiction, his wife called Trudy Legge and their children are Nathaniel and Tess.

This is the story of a 9 year old girl, beautiful eyes blue with a gray tone . She is sold to a Geisha house, she starts cleaning the house of Geichas, and then goes to a school as an apprentice in a Geisha. Within the story an unknown man gives her a handkerchief. That scarf is a symbol of hope for Chiyo. To become a true Geisha.

Years later Chiyo still studying to be one Geisha with support of  Mameha's tutelage,  Chiyo acquire a  new name: Sayuri. This story is developing in the era of the Second World War. For reason of the War, 'houses geisha closed and Sayuri has to survive, working, keeping the hope of seeing the man who handkerchief gift.

The element that most approaches this story is, Issues of Social Injustice. One way to address the serious issue starting with a question, Do  you think you have to be a Geisha, it is a worthy profession.?  Do you think that girls in Japan should be separated from their parents to go to a Geisha home to work? What was the goal of Chiyo to have a better life? With a discussion about the book, we would allow children to express themselves and give their opinion about the story of Chiyo.