My Name is Sangoel

My Name is Sangoel 

Author: Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed

Illustrator: Catherine Stock 

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: 1st-3rd 

My Name is Sangoel is about a refugee from Sudan. After his father dies in the war, Sangoel flees to the United States with his mother and sister. When they arrive in their new home, Sangoel finds everything strange. Shortly after his arrival, Sangoel realizes that nobody can pronounce his name and he begins to work on a solution to this problem. Sangoel ends up making a t-shirt to help others pronounce his name. 

I would use this book in my classroom to show students that they should not give up on someone. If they do not know how to pronounce their name, they should work to find a way to learn how to do it correctly. I would also use this book to provide a variety of books with different characters in my classroom library. 

Bud Not Buddy

Bud Not Buddy 

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis 

Illustrator: Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Awards: Coretta Scott King Award, Newbery Medal 

Grade Level: 4th-7th 

Bud Not Buddy begins with Bud meeting his new foster family, the Amoses. One of the children in the family accidentally calls Bud, Buddy. After the two get into a fight, Bud is punished by having to sleep outside in the shed. After getting stung by hornets, Bud escapes the shed. Bud then causes Todd to wet his bed. After sleeping under the Christmas tree, Bugs wakes Bud up so that they can head west. The two try to catch a ride on a train but after Bud misses the train he is left behind and heads to Grand Rapids, Michigan in order to find his dad. Bud catches a ride with a man named Lefty Lewis. After staying with Lefty for a small amount of time, Bud leaves to find his father. The man that Bud thought was his father is actually his grandfather. Once Bud tells his grandfather that his mom has died, he gets overwhelmed with grief. The novel ends with Bud receiving a horn as a gift and is hopeful that he will have a successful future. 

I would use this book in my classroom to teach about overcoming challenges. This book could also be used to teach students about relationships within a family. 

Hannah is My Name

Hannah Is My Name 

Author: Belle Yang 

Illustrator: Belle Yang 

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: None 

Grade Level: 1st-4th 

Hannah Is My Name is based on a true story. This book is about a young girl, Hannah, and her family who move to the United States from Taiwan. When they arrive in San Francisco, Hannah changes her name and starts acclimating to the new culture. While, the family adjusts to their home, they remain hopeful that their green cards will come and that San Francisco will become their permanent home.

 I would use this book to teach my students about the challenges of coming to a new country. I believe that this book, along with others like it will help students grasp the idea that not everyone's journey to success and happiness is the same. 

The Other Side

The Other Side

Author: Jacqueline Woodson 

Illustrator: E.B Lewis 

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: K-3rd

The Other Side is about a little girl named Clover. Her and her mother live in a town in which there is a fence that separates the African-Americans from the whites. One day Clover sees a young girl, Annie, outside by the fence. Annie is always there, even in bad weather, and is said to look lonely. Since, Clover and Annie have both been demanded not to cross the fence they choose to sit on the fence together. Clover, Annie and Clover's friends begin to realize that the fence, which symbolizes segregation in their town, should not be there. 

I would use this book in my classroom to teach about the time in history when segregation was common and how it is not right. This book could also be used to teach about acceptance. 

Why am I me?

Why am I me? 

Author: Paige Britt 

Illustrator:  Selina Alko and Sean Qualls

Genre: Poetry 

Awards: None

Grade Level: Pk-3rd

Why am I me? is about two characters who are asking each other questions about themselves and each other. The two children do not realize that they are asking each other the same questions. This book gives the reader the opportunity to ask themselves "how would life be different if there was only we instead of you and me?"

I would use this book to help teach about compassion and love. This book could also be used to teach students about diversity and how everyone is the same on the inside. 

Going Home

Going Home 

Author: Even Bunting

Illustrator: David Diaz

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: PK-3rd 

Going Home is about a boy named Carlos and his family. Since the Christmas holiday is coming up soon, the family is headed back home to Mexico. Even though Carlos and his siblings were born in Mexico, it doesn't seem like home. When Carlos is encouraged to participate in the festivities by his grandfather, aunt, and the other people in the village, he begins to fully understand his parent's love for the village in Mexico. At the end of the book he realizes that home can be anywhere, even the places that it does not seem likely. 

This book can be used in a classroom as a read aloud and a silent reading book. I would also use this book to teach students about overcoming challenges.