Review: I Have A Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King/Illustrations by Kadir Nelson #childrensnonfiction #liveCD #speeches #BlackHistoryMonth

Summary:

On August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Martin Luther King gave one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in our nation's history.

My review:

It is not the first time that I have seen in print or heard the now famous speech, by Dr. Martin Luther King. It is one that still rings true to this day.

However, I picked up this book from my local library to honor Black History month and WOW, I am so impressed. Dr. Martin Luther King's words were so powerful by them selves but then compare it with this illustrator and you have one excellent children's book!

For each page turn, I was drawn in by the illustration but then the words I heard as if the pastor himself was reading it aloud today. The plus, plus side for the book is a CD that is included so children can hear the original speech in the pastor's own voice.

Run, don't walk and get you a copy right now. You will not be disappointed. If you don't believe me look to the fact that this book won the Coretta Scott King and Parent's Choice Awards.

5 absolute stars!

Disclosure: I picked up a copy of this book from my local library. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

~Michelle, Reading Authors Network

Where to find this book:

Amazon

#Review: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena #Multicultural #AtoZBlogChallenge #L

Summary:
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
 
This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share

My review:
Last Stop On Market Street is one of those beautiful books that seem to make a lasting impression. I immediately wanted to read this book over from my first reading. I wanted to catch those little tidbits that sometimes you miss from a first read.

I could relate having to ride a bus and wondering, like CJ, why I did not have another means and why I did not have certain things. However, the Grandmother in the book was very wise and saw things in such a different way that me, the reader, saw through her eyes too. The author made you feel like you were traveling along with them and participating in the environment. 

Nearing the end of the book, I felt saddened because it seemed like these two had circumstances beyond them. However, the twist was surprising and lovely too. Of course, I will not spoil it but only encourage you to purchase a copy for yourself.

The illustrations are bold and colorful. Again, I was immersed into the book because of the writing but the illustrations as well. They were real and I loved them!

This book is by far the 5 stars I will give it.  Don't believe me? Then let the awards this book one stand for its testament.

Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal
A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book
A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2015
A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of 2015

Disclosure: I was gifted this book by a friend and was honored that she had the book signed for me by the author. This reader is grateful!
~M.M. aka Naila Moon

Review: Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryan #Multicultural #AtoZblogchallenge #F #CorettaScottKingAwards #Newberry

Summary:
Using original slave auction and plantation estate documents, and In his gentle yet deeply powerful way, Ashley Bryan goes to the heart of how a slave is given a monetary value by the slave owner, tempering this with the one thing that CAN’T be bought or sold—dreams. Inspired by the actual will of a plantation owner that lists the worth of each and every one of his “workers”, Bryan has created collages around that document, and others like it. Through fierce paintings and expansive poetry he imagines and interprets each person’s life on the plantation, as well as the life their owner knew nothing about—their dreams and pride in knowing that they were worth far more than an Overseer or Madam ever would guess.

My review:
This has got to be one of the most compelling children's book I have ever read. The book starts off with hearing from the plantation owner and why she is going to sell. Then the meat of the book begins with the first person's name, age, and story, as well as how much that person is "worth" on opposite pages. The next spread tells of his/her dreams.

I have known, as is possible for me, about slavery and the injustice of it but when I saw a bill of sale, my mouth dropped. I am not talking about something that was made up by the author but a tangible bill of sale. Seeing this made it real and shows the lack of human compassion. Wow!

The eleven human beings in the book were real, the lived, and had no life but had dreams. This is where the author used his power of writing to create those dreams for people who could only hope for such a thing, a voice for the powerless. The author's pen gave them a life, a life they would not have had from the bill a sale.

Not only did the author give them their voice but he also created their looks. He is the one who illustrated the book with collage and painting of each person. These are all in browns, blacks, and beige tones. Their dreams are alive with color and hope.

That was the whole purpose of the book. To make these people human in the eyes of the reader. He accomplished his goals and then some. 

This book should be in every library and classroom. If I could, I would give this book much more than the 5 stars I can only give.

If you are not convinced by my review, the book has won the following:
Newbery Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book



Disclosure: I obtained a copy of this book from my local library. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from your opinions. ~M.M. Hudson

#Review: The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy/ Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney #atozchallenge, #kidsbooks, #ReadingRainbowBooks, #CorettaScottKingAwards, #Multicultural

Summary: 

Tanya's grandmother is making a special quilt with pieces of clothes from the whole family.

But when she gets sick, will Tanya be able to finish the quilt for her?

My review:

This is a beautiful story about an art that is slowly fading. It is the art of quilt making which was once commonly done in families but is now disappearing as new generations do not want to learn how.

The grandmother in the story is wise as she teaches her grand-daughter the art of quilt making, she also teaches her how they can tell stories. Each piece tells the story of an individual in the family. Tanya learns this lesson and helps her family learn it too.

I loved the inter-generational workings of this family. Grandmother was depicted as someone who should be valued for her wisdom and ideas. She was someone who knows the stories of her family and the value in knowing those stories.

Another underlying message here is that there are times when families should take the time to cherish the things they have and that sometimes, those things are obtained by hard work and dedication. This is a lesson that we as a whole could learn from and maybe we need to return to as a society.

The book is full of line drawings that show facial expressions well. The background colors are done in muted browns, whites, grays, and yellows  that gives the reader a sense of age but yet colors pop off the pages from the clothing and quilt. I love this juxtapose. 

If everything in this review is not enough to convince you to purchase this book, then know that this is a Reading Rainbow Book and won the Coretta Scott King Award. It is well deserved.

5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased this book for my own collection. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.

Where to find the author:

Amazon

Goodreads