Diversity

A very good children's picture book for addressing diversity is The Colors of Us by Karen Katz.  This book should be included in all children's libraries because it does a really good job at addressing the many different skin colors of people.  Children will most likely feel more comfortable being themselves after reading The Colors of Us.  Also, the way Katz compares skin colors to food is very clever and appealing to children.  Children need to feel confident in who they are and books that address diversity in a positive way are definitely a must have for children's libraries.

Nobody's Perfect by Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney is a good chapter book dealing with diversity and disabilities.  The story of two girls destined to be friends is a great read for young girls.  Megan and Alexis are two girls that find friendship between each other despite their differences.  The book has lots of fun, girl-related issues to read about.  Many young readers will be able to relate to this book.  It would be a great addition to the library.  I found interest in this book because it seemed to be directed toward girls.  I remember reading a book when I was a young girl named Who's Afraid of Sixth Grade? and I loved it.  It had so many relatable occurances throughout the book and I believe that is why I enjoyed reading Nobody's Perfect as well.

International Literature for children

Two major awards for children's books in the UK are the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal.  The Carnegie Medal is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, or CILIP.  The Kate Greenaway Medal is also awarded by CILIP for distinguished illustration in a book for children. 

Newbery vs. Caldecott

The Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal are both awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children.  The ALSC is a division of the American Library Association.  The Newbery Medal is awarded each year "to the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in English in the United States during the preceding year."  The Caldecott Medal is awarded each year "to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published in English in the United States during the preceding year."  In my opinion, one isn't better than the other, only different in style.  The Caldecott award winners are picture book oriented whereas the Newbery award winners are based on the author's interpretation of a story.  Both are highly honorable awards among children's literature.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a wonderfully written tale not only for young children, but adults as well.  The book is about a girl named Minli, whose family is very poor.  Her family lives in a village that is so drab and drained of color and life.  The area is known as Fruitless Mountain and it is deprived of fortune.  Minli's family struggles to even get food to eat each night.  Minli's father tells stories every night to keep the family's spirits up.  He tells the story of the Old Man of the Moon and his book of fortune and how he could possibly change your fortune.  Desperate to seek fortune for her family, Minli sets out on a journey to Never Ending Mountain to find the Man of the Moon.  She meets many characters along the way, one of which is a dragon.  Minli meets and hears the fortunes of the very rich and the very poor until she learns an important lesson about herself, her family, and their fortune.  Instead, it is a story about the bonds of family, the secret to happiness, and the insidious nature of envy, jealousy, and want.  An excellent read for young children, especially girls.  This is the first book by Grace Lin that I've read but will most likely look for another.  Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a Newbery Honor book.

The First Part Last

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson is the story of a teenager named Bobby Morris, who gets a girl pregnant.  He must overcome the struggles of being a teen parent with not much help financially.  Bobby was your typical teenage boy until he got his girlfriend, Nia, pregnant.  Bobby soon learns that being a parent is not an easy job.  This book would be great for teenagers to read because it portrays the realities of teen parenthood.  The struggles Bobby faces with his daughter are all too common among the teen parent world and books concerning those issues are very well needed.  I found this book to be realistic, emotionally charging, and hopeful.  The First Part Last addresses the many issues of diversity among teenagers and young adults by telling the story of a young black male trying to make it in this world with his daughter.  I was pleased to find the story about a teenage boy rather than a teen mom, which most books and movies showcase. 

Dragon Road

Dragon Road by Laurence Yep is a story of friendship and perserverence.  Two best friends embark on a journey filled with challenges, will to survive, and the joy of playing basketball.  A professional basketball team, the Dragons, invites Cal and Barney to join the team.  They travel across the country playing ball and encountering many obstacles along the way, such as racial prejudice barriers.  Cal's character is faced with tough decisions during his journey.  Decisions of being a loyal friend and following his destiny.  This is the first book by Laurence Yep I've read but have researched many of his other books.  He is a very talented author and his books would make an excellent addition to the fiction section of a children's library because they greatly encourage creative thinking and imagination.  Some of his other books are:  The Case of the Goblin Pearls, The Tiger's Apprentice, and Tiger Magic.

Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney is a Caldecott Honor book.  This book is very beautifully written and very descriptive.  The pictures are amazing and the text is designed to help children easily understand the story.  The classic Bible story is nicely retold and should be included in every children's library.  Personally, I've always loved the story of Noah's Ark and tell it to my children quite often.  I would definitely recommend this book. 

The Higher Power of Lucky

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron is most definitely a book to be remembered.  Lucky is the name of the girl in the book that must overcome a difficult start in life.  Lucky's mother was tragically killed when she touched a downed powerline.  Her father also abandoned her at an early age.  Lucky lives with a guardian named Brigitte in a trailer home set in a small community.  They strive off of government surplus food and the checks that are occasionally sent by her father.  Lucky often wonders how she can find her Higher Power.  She follows her vibrant personality and dreams to engage on a journey through life to find the inner self she always knew she was.  I've never read a book by Susan Patron before, therefore have no others to compare it to.  The closest thing I can relate this book to is Ramona Quimby.  Although Lucky's character is more thrown into the not so pleasant realities of life than Ramona.  Very interesting book and recommendation to those people that have overcome hard times.