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.

Historical Fiction: I Will Come Back For You

I Will Come Back For You is written and illustrated by Marisabina Russo. It is based on a story the author heard as a girl, but she has changed the ending. The story is told through a grandmother telling her granddaughter about the charms on her bracelet, and the story the charms tell. When the grandmother was a little girl, her Jewish family lived in Italy. When World War II broke out, their family was split up - their father and mother forced to go into hiding, separately, to avoid the concentration camps, but the children have to wait to join their mother, while also waiting for news of their father. 

While the book doesn't go very in-depth with the history aspect, the pictures and text are historically accurate. They provide an accurate idea of what life was like during WWII Italy. People's attitudes are treated equally, showing both those who helped Jewish families and the people working for the government/Nazis. The setting is critical to the story itself - without the setting the narrative events would fall apart. The language is not particularly historical, but this is partly because the plot takes place in the form of a story being told in the present day. The theme of safety for families at risk is just as relevant today, with the large number of refugee families and the antisemitism Jewish people still face today.

This book fits under Social Justice theme 5: Awareness Raising. While the Holocaust is a much talked about topic, I think the perspective of Jewish people living in Italy is one that is often missed. Italy is not often talked about during discussions of WWII - the focus is on Germany, and sometimes Poland. Through this story, children are able to learn about what many families went through, as well as how their stories are kept alive through the generations, with the help of the things they managed to save (like charm bracelets).

In the classroom, students can create their own "charm bracelet story," picking events from their lives or from history, charms to represent those events, and weaving a narrative around the charms and what they represent. Creativity is encouraged through the picking of charms, and students are encouraged to investigate their own history.

Realistic Fiction: "I Don't Want to Talk About It"

Realistic Fiction: Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Book's Title: Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Author: Judith Viorst

Illustrated: Ray Cruz

Summary

A young boy, Alexander feels Terrible, Horrible, No Good, and very Bad all day. The boy always feel bad and has never been happy because he will move Australia. His family are busy to prepare for moving, but he want to do as usual...the end of book said "even Australia." 

Kind of Realistic Fiction

The book related the possibility of events, character, and plots in the real world. Most picture's books show good messages or happy the end, but the book is an opposed story. The boy seems want to stay same place and as usual every day, which make consider me more. The inside of the book is no color, which is only black illustration. It is clear and shows that the boy stubbornly resistant to change a new situation.

Six Elements of Social Justice Curriculum

The "Self-love and Knowledge" and "Respect for Others" (Picower, B., 2012) included the book because children have experienced to feel uncomfortable to change new situations or environments. The result will help to understand why is happening. Thus, "Issues of Social Injustice" and "Social Movements and Social Change" is important to learn why boy or girl changed her/his attitude. Students and parents cannot assume they are bad. "Awareness Raising" and "Social Action" can help solving that students and teachers can communicate or hear from himself/herself through or after the book. Also, families involve the active and communication, too. Sometime, the result is not reason regarding the emotion. 

Students and families can share the book. In the first time, I read the book and did not understand why boy feel bad and not good. But I consider and discuss about the book, then I will understand more. So, it is good for students and families to discuss about the book. Adult and child are different point of view.

Realistic Fiction: Just Kidding

'Just Kidding'

Written by: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrations by: Adam Gustavson

The book I chose is called "Just Kidding" written by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Adam Gustavson.

This realistic fiction book is about a young boy named D.J. who has recently moved to a new school and finds himself being the pit of his 'new friend' Vinces' jokes. The reader is taken through D.J.'s journey, from his perspective, to find support in order to overcome being bullied. Does he overcome this and find friends who treat him with respect and kindness? Or does Vince continue to bully D.J.? You will have to read and find out yourself!

As mentioned before, this book is a realistic fiction book because both the author and illustrator include vivid, realistic settings that the support the events of the story and the characters are credible. The reader is able to see D.J.'s development throughout the book and the overall theme is intrinsic to the story and applicable to readers' lives. In addition, the issue of bullying is believable since it happens often in our society, unfortunately, but we are able to see a culturally grounded and realistic solution in this book. 

Of the Six Elements of Social Justice, the most represented themes portrayed in this book are awareness rising through the students teaching one another about experiences that either involve others or themselves pertaining to bullying and blogging about them, and also social action by taking action against bullying since it affects them and their community. 

This book would be a wonderful addition to the topic of bullying. It can open up a discussion about the different forms of bullying, what to do if you or a friend are being bullied, and how to take action and reach out instead of staying quiet and allowing it to continue. Student's should feel safe enough in the classroom to talk about this topic and also understand that there are solutions to stop bullying if it is indeed happening to them or their friend. 

~ Samantha Kiser ~

Realistic Fiction

Realistic Fiction: The Deaf Musicians by Pete Seeger & Paul Dubois Jacobs. Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie