Multicultural Books: Books that explore a culture with an emphasis on the human (or personal) experience.
Cajun Night Before Christmas Written by Howard Jacobs Illustrated by James Rice
Award: Clio Award Reading Level: 2nd and 3rd Grade Summary: This is a creative variation of the classic book, The Night Before Christmas. Through a narrative poem, it uses the Cajun dialect to tell the story of the night before Christmas on a bayou in Louisiana. It is a humorous book and holds insights to the culture and traditions of Louisiana. Interdisciplinary Uses: This is a great book that can be used in Social Studies to learn about various cultures and their traditions and beliefs in regards to Christmas. This book could be used in a unit on Christmases around the world. It could also be used in a math lesson using addition and subtraction.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Written by Derrick Barnes Illustrated by Gordon C. James
Award: Coretta Scott King, Caldecott and Newbery Award Reading Level: 5th Grade through 8th Grade Summary: This is a poem about a boy who takes a trip to the barber shop and is treated like royalty as he receives a fresh haircut. The boy speaks about his new haircut as if with it he could conquer the world. This book encourages self-affirmation and confidence in young people. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book could be used in a lesson that explores feelings and what makes one feel empowered. It could also be used in a geometry lesson in regards to hair cuts.
Duke Ellington Written by Andrea Davis Pinkney Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Award: Coretta Scott King Award and Caldecott Award Reading Level: 5th and 6th Grade Summary: This is a true story about the life of Duke Ellington, a forerunner in the evolution of jazz. It speaks of Duke’s journey from a boy who refused to play the piano to a man who became one of the most talented pianists in jazz history. The Duke became known for even more than his piano skills, he was the most famous for his amazing jazz music writing abilities. Interdisciplinary Uses: This is a great book to use in Music to learn about the evolution of Jazz and other prominent music genres in the United States. It could also be used in a History and Social Studies lesson that explores the time period that this story is set in and the social customs of that time.
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat Written by Simms Taback
Award: Caldecott Award Reading Level: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Summary: This is a story about a man who has an overcoat that becomes worn and torn. Instead of throwing out the old coat, Joseph turns it into something else like a vest and then a scarf. This goes on and on until Joseph has no material left to work with. Joseph then decides to write a story about his overcoat. The moral of the story is that you can always make something out of nothing! Interdisciplinary Uses: This book could lead into a lesson on Home Economics where students are taught how to sew. It could also be used in a social studies lesson to learn about Eastern European culture.
Last Stop on Market Street Written by Matt De La Pena and Illustrated by Christian Robinson Award: Caldecott, Newbery, and Coretta Scott King Awards Reading Level: 3rd and 4th Grade Summary: This story follows a little boy and his grandmother as they take the bus from church to a soup kitchen where they volunteer. Along the way, the boy continues to question why they have to wait for the bus, why they do not have a car, and why he cannot have the nice things that he sees other people using. The grandmother maintains a calm and warm feel throughout the story and helps the little boy to see all of the amazing gifts that life has to offer them and that they do not need everything in order to be happy. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book would be great to teach students about Community Service (Social Studies) and have the students volunteer in a soup kitchen as an extension of the lesson. It could also be used in a lesson on family genealogy.