Reviewed by Matthew Smee Review Source: Independent Book Author: Ruth Vander Zee’s Mississippi Morning tells the story of James, a young white boy growing up in rural Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. It’s 1933 and James’s father (Pa) owns the local hardware store. Pa’s store is a popular place, where locals gather to discuss issues […]
Rainbow Weaver / Tejedora de Arcoiris
Teaching Ideas Reviewed by Rebecca Lehr Review Source: Independent Book Author: Reviewer Rebecca Lehr is an art teacher at a bilingual elementary school in Arlington, Virginia. In a rural village in the Guatemalan Highlands, young Ixchel is anxious to learn the ancient art of weaving from her mother. Ixchel adores the vibrant colors and patterns of […]
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay
Reviewed by Maria Brescia-Weiler Review Source: Independent Book Author: The story of Ada’s Violin begins in the town of Cateura, Paraguay, home to Asunción’s largest garbage dump and a girl with an early interest in music. Almost everyone Ada knows works as a ganchero, sifting through the piles of trash for recyclable goods. Just as Ada […]
Down to Earth: How Kids Help Feed the World
Reviewed by Maria Brescia-Weiler Review Source: Independent Book Author: Down to Earth: How Kids Help Feed the World provides an overview on the types of crops and livestock one might find on a farm. The subtitle is misleading, as the book focuses more on the uses of different farm products than on the role of children […]
A-to-Z: The Real DC
Reviewed by Matthew Smee Review Source: Independent Book Author: People often look at Washington, D.C. solely through a political lens, as it is the nation’s capital. Federal buildings and monuments are highlighted and other key components of the city are neglected in turn. Few outside of the district are familiar with our vibrant culture and […]
Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow
Reviewed by Julie Smolinski Review Source: Independent Book Author: Though the title would suggest otherwise, Satchel Paige: Striking out Jim Crow isn’t exactly a biography of the famous Negro League pitcher, Satchel Paige. The story is not told from his perspective and for the most part we don’t get too much information about Paige’s personal […]
