Showing posts with label african-america n. Show all posts
Showing posts with label african-america n. Show all posts

A Dance of Sisters Review

A Dance of Sisters
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This book is about two sisters, Delia and her older sister Pearl. Their mother died when Pearl was very young. While Pearl is still having trouble dealing with the death of her mother, their father deals with it by avoiding talking about her, and Delia dives into ballet. Her new teacher is very strict and warns all her girls about being fat. While Delia gets better at dance, she also starts to starve herself and does nothing but dance. Pearl meanwhile withdraws from her family becoming rebellious and failing school. This story is as much about dance as it is about the survival of a broken family. This is a very good book that slightly older children will enjoy and even learn from. I recommend it to all who like books about ballet, dealing with family issues and growing into an adult.

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When the Black Girl Sings Review

When the Black Girl Sings
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Lahni Schuler sometimes just doesn't understand her life.
She doesn't understand why a Caucasian couple would adopt an African American baby. She doesn't understand why they would enroll that girl in a private school where she is the only African American. She doesn't understand why some of the girls at the school are so snotty and so ignorant, especially towards her. And she definitely doesn't understand why her parents are continuously arguing, when just weeks ago they would all watch movies together as a happy family.
What she does know is that she doesn't fit in, that her comfort zone involves keeping to herself, sometimes not even telling her best friend, Katie, everything, and that she has to be strong, especially for her mother, and that somewhere inside she has this amazing voice.
Mr. Faringhelli knows this, too, and wants Lahni to sing in a competition. Of course, Lahni isn't so sure about this, since it is out of her comfort zone, and she just doesn't think she could do it. Then the perfect timing comes into place when she decides to sing for her church's choir; what better way to practice singing, especially in front of a live audience. She not only surprises herself with this bold move, but also her mother. It's finally a place for Lahni to improve, to fit in, to forget all of her worries that continue to trouble her. It is the perfect escape.
Even though she does have the choir to comfort her, she knows that she will still have to deal with the girls at her school, and with her father leaving all of the time on little trips during the week, acting clueless and not wanting to talk about the situation at all. And she still has to deal with the singing competition. Just as long as she knows she has her friends and the ones she loves by her side, she can accomplish anything.
WHEN THE BLACK GIRL SINGS is an inspirational story that will amaze all readers. The story of a girl who never fit in until she finally embraced her talent and turned it into something beautiful, shows how anyone, regardless of race, or gender, or size, can easily accomplish anything, just as long as they know they can. This is one well-written novel that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

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Twists and Turns Review

Twists and Turns
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Teesha and Keeba Washington have finally graduated from Brooklyn High School and are wondering what they are going to do with the rest of their lives. Although Teesha is a year younger, she graduated right along with her sister and the two of them are as close as any two sisters could be. Their mother is proud of her daughters' accomplishments thus far and only wishes that she could provide more in the way of their future, but life in the inner city isn't easy. Unlike their lifelong friends who have moved from the projects into college, or jobs such as TV commercials and computer programming, Teesha and Keeba haven't found their niche yet. The only thing they do is braid hair -- and they do hair quite well.
Twists and Turns is a book that illustrates both the power of sisterhood and teamwork. On many levels this book is written for young adults, yet older readers will enjoy the story as well. Belief in each other, the skills of their craft and cooperation amongst friends and family, the Washington sisters rent a storefront in the neighborhood and open up TeeKee's Tresses.
The elements of a good story are present in Twists and Turns as the girls experience jealousy and envy, political scheming and landlord greed. Through it all, the reader wonders if the girls can sustain themselves or will their hardships break their entrepreneurial spirit. While reading, one might question their resolve to overcome the stereotypical nature of their living and business surroundings. The plot takes many twists and turns but the journey chronicling their action is fast paced and energetic.
Not a street fiction book, but certainly bringing it home that life in the inner city isn't easy, Twists and Turns captures the environment and the reality that everything in a supposedly bad environment isn't really as bad as it seems. Belief in yourself is one of the central themes from which everyone can benefit. Though this book is fictional, teenagers can picture themselves in the vulnerability of the Washington sisters and find strength in the positive outcome perseverance always yields.


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Spellbound Review

Spellbound
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...This is the story of Raven Jefferson, a bright 16-year-old girl who lives in a Brooklyn housing project. Raven has always been determined to move out of the projects and go to college like her older sister Dell, but her goal is put on hold when she becomes pregnant and drops out of high school to have the baby. After the birth of her son, Raven spends her days at home with occasional visits from her best friend, Aisha, another high school dropout and single mother. Raven starts to lose hope that she will ever leave the projects but then she learns of a spelling bee with a grand prize of a college scholarship. She spends all of her waking hours preparing for the bee and eventually realizes her dream because of her hard work.
This is a classic story of a young woman who has a goal and doesn't let a few bumps along the way stop her from achieving it. Raven's ability to defy the odds is inspirational. The plot is a bit weak, but the laugh-out-loud funny moments make it a worthwhile read.
McDonald should be congratulated for brilliantly capturing the voices of two young women from the Brooklyn projects. Spellbound is geared towards the 11-and 12-year-old crowd, but anyone can enjoy this quick read...

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Ms. Mccaw Learns To Draw Review

Ms. Mccaw Learns To Draw
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Kaethe Zemach's MS. MCCAW LEARNS TO DRAWtells of Dudley, who doodles when he finds school hard - which is most of the time. Ms. McCaw never loses her patience though - and she's supportive and seems to know everything, until one days she tries to draw - and finds she can't. Can Dudley teach her something new?

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Standing Against the Wind (Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Author (Awards)) Review

Standing Against the Wind (Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Author (Awards))
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Being uprooted from the only home she's ever known, Patrice gets dumped at her aunt's house because her mama went to jail. Patrice, unused to the cruel street life of New York City has to work through difficulties so she can apply for a scholarship to an elite boarding school.
This encouraging book promotes determination, intelligence, and the goodness hidden in others. A wonderful book for late elementary and middle school students.


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Ish Review

Ish
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"Ish" is a great book to share with children. After his older brother teases him about his artwork, Ramon loses his love for drawing, until his younger sister teaches him an important lesson. She shows him that art does not have to be perfect, and even when a drawing of a vase doesn't look like a vase, it still looks "vase-ish". This book is wonderful for teaching students that not everything needs to be perfect, and that even imperfect things can still be enjoyed. A lot of students obsess so much about getting everything perfect that they neglect to see the real purpose of an activity. They worry so much about drawing a perfect dog or spelling every word perfectly that they cannot see the bigger picture. "Ish" will teach these students that imperfection can be a wonderful thing.

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Keisha Ann Can Review

Keisha Ann Can
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Keisha Ann is irrepressible as she goes through her school day. Whether it's doing her work or doing what's fun, she let's nothing stand in her way. Who can do it? Keisha Ann Can!
This is a fun little book, with nice illustrations of children going through their school day. It teaches kids about politeness and obedience and that school can be fun. And most of all, it teaches kids to have a can-do attitude. This is a very nice book with a great lesson. My four-year-old and I highly recommend it!

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Amazing Grace (Reading Rainbow Book) Review

Amazing Grace (Reading Rainbow Book)
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A child's imagination is one of the purest forms of expression. Author Hoffman has captured that innocence in this superb tale. Grace, like so many youngsters, spends much of her day in the pleasures of "acting out" the characters that populate the pages of the books she reads. She feels that she can do and be anything that she desires. The theme of pursuing one's dreams is the type of message to which all can relate.
As one turns the pages of this beautifully illustrated book, one can enjoy the little girl's imaginary adventures. When Grace learns of the part in "Peter Pan," the reader is able to identify with this as a part of school life. The illustrator has also balanced the classroom with children of varied ethnic and racial backgrounds. This is a plus in the age of being "politically correct."
The language of the book is reflective with the age of the intended reading audience. With a little adult help, the average primary child will "read" this one with great relish.
The resolve of the adults in the family to encourage Grace in pursuit of her dreams is refreshing. Most of us let barriers prevent us from doing the same.
This is one great children's book!

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