The Book Talk

Let's Talk about Books

Teacher's Favorite Booklist

 

I would introduce the books and authors to the students by asking them about the title, the predictions they might have with the plot of the story and the genre (autobiography, history, fiction, or non-fiction, adventure, mystery, etc.).

 

After the story is finished, students can discuss their opinions and draw conclusions. If the story is set in a historical period, the teacher can have an open discussion with students to ask them if this story is credible or whether there are discrepancies.



The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales details Sofia's struggle of being accepted in her school enviroment. Sofia comes from a traditional, Mexican family. When she is a student at her junior high school and brings tacos for lunch, she is ridiculed by students who called her "Taco head!" A coach intervenes and tells Sofia she needs to "kick those girls butts in her head". Sofia beats them in soccer and school grades to where she lands a scholarship and goes to an academy that provides opportunities for her to go to college.

I enjoyed this book because Sofia "kicked butt" and confronted Terry, who was an insecure bully at the academy. When Sofia's father passed away, there was tremendous support from her family and knowing that he was in a better place watching over her as she made strides to be successful in life!

 

I would recommend this book to older elementary school female students to build their self-esteem to work in their best efforts to succeed to overcome any barrier.

 



One of my favorite books is the delightful Ruby Lu, the Empress of Everything by Lenore Look. Ruby Lu is a spirited, independent fearless young girl! She has goals of including getting over her "aquaphobia", which is her way of defining a fear being submerged in water, improving her English and Math skills, and making friends with Emma because they argue with each other. Children can learn how to overcome obstacles and barriers since Ruby Lu's cousin, Flying Duck, is deaf and they use the Chinese Sign language.

I would recommend this book to students who are 7 to 9 years old and they would enjoy the glossary of this book with words including "moong-cha-cha", which means confusion or having things out of focus.
 

An Ocean Apart, an Ocean Away by Lensey Namioka introduces Yan-yan who desires to become a doctor when her father encourages her to take college courses to achieve her dreams. However, she is torn between becoming a doctor and wanting to find love by settling down to become a wife and a mother. Once Yan-yan goes to Cornell University, she encounters prejudice and being stereotyped. This story is set during the early 20th century where society still regarded women whose roles were limited to be mothers and housewives. After finishing her first semester at the university Yan-yan is passionate about being a doctor.

I would recommend this book to older elementary female students who can be inspired to achieve their future success in whatever career they follow in their lives.
 

Revolution is a not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine is a historical fictional book set during the Cultural Revolution period in China. This is a story of Ling whose family life has changed under government repression of persecution for living a high middle class or "bourgeois sympathizer". Ling learns how to survive, stand up to the bullies and fights for her family's survival. Although this is a fictional book, the author states the events happened in her family. Her father was arrested for aiding a reporter who was labeled as being a traitor to his country. Family members and neighbors were also encouraged to inform the government of any individual who possesed Western and traditional Chinese ideas, influences and items, which they were destroyed. The title of the book is penned from Mao Tse Tung's quote meaning that a revolution is a violent means to overthrow a government.

 

I recommend this book to older elementary students and help them become engaged by researching the history of democracy and communism. They could also interpret the quote that will be introduce to them from the title of the book.

 

Flight to Freedom by Ana Veciano-Suarez is an account of the main character, Yara Garcia, who leaves her home in Cuba that is under communist government and lives in Miami. Her family has a difficult time in adjusting to acquiring a new language, changing their lifestyles while trying to preserve their family traditions and adapting to the American way of life. Yara yearns to return home but knows that she can no longer go back as she slowly learns to accept her lifestyle in Miami. I enjoyed this book because of the close family relationships. There is a history of how Miami became Florida's melting pot of immigrants that began in the early 1960's. The author also gives a history of the number of immigrants who live in different parts of the United States.

 

I would recommend this book to students whose families came to this country for better opportunities while making connections and identifying with Yara and her family.