The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Hughes, L. (2009). The negro speaks of rivers. New York, N.Y.: Disney

This book is actually a poem that Langston Hughes wrote when he was only 18 years old in 1920. It was Illustrated by E. B. Lewis and has a copyright date of 2009. E.B. Lewis provides some very helpful insights on the significance and meaning of this poem in an Illustrator's Note on the last page of this book. I would suggest if using this book with students wait and share Lewis's comments until after the discussion questions have been presented. I am sure you will agree after reading this poem that E.B. Lewis has truly captured the message that Hughes was expressing in spectacular illustrations.

If you liked this book you may like My People also by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Discussion Questions:

1. The illustrator of this book chose to do the pictures in watercolor. Why do you think he chose this type of art medium for the illustrations?

2. Replace the second name with your family name, and the last word with either a noun like Hughes did or some other significant word that relates to your family and write your own poem. (Example: The Sprague's speak of ________.

Besides a website that you can go to learn more about Langston Hughes, I am including a website to go to for the illustrator, E.B. Lewis.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poet.html?id=3340

http://www.eblewis.com

Stone Rabbit #4: Superhero Stampede

Craddock, E. (2010). Stone rabbit #4: Superhero stampede. New York, N.Y. :

Random House Children's Books.

This particular book is the fourth in the Stone Rabbit series. The story begins with Judy Goose, Andy, Turtle and Rabbit (no character names are given for the turtle and rabbit) are racing on a video game at Mr. Goat's store. Judy ends up winning and Rabbit and Turtle blames Andy for losing the race even though they too were behind Judy. When Turtle and Rabbit start calling Andy names he leaves with one of his favorite comic books. Meanwhile, Judy tells Mr. Goat and the others about her latest invention - the Matter Algorithm Generating Initiative or Maggie for short. Whenever a user defined media is inserted into the slot, it turns into a temporary reality. Just then, Andy returns to the store as he forgot to pay for the video game. He trips and the Mighty Friends Magazine slips out of his hands and goes into the slot of the Maggie transporting them into the pages of the magazine. Judy, Andy, Mr. Goat, Turtle, and Rabbit are transformed into one of the Mighty Friends. Each of them have superpowers which they use to fight the Dastardly Trifecta. Andy is persuaded to join the evil Trifecta and becomes the monster named Malice to destroy his so-called friends. Will Malice destroy his friends and become part of the evil Trifecta? Has the monster Malice taken over Andy or can Andy still be reached? Will his group of friends finish the temporary reality they are all trapped in? Well, read the book and find out!

If you liked this book, another book to read is the very first one in this series, Deep -Space Disco, by the same author, Erik Craddock.

Discussion Questions:

1. Besides eating some of the cake that the evil Trifecta gave to Andy, why do you think Andy turned into the monster Malice?

2. Based on how the story ended, do you think Andy's friends have learned anything about how friends should be treated? Explain your answer based on the outcome of the book.

http://www.erikcraddock.com/

Juliet's Moon

Rinaldi, A. (2008). Juliet's moon. Orlando, FL: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Juliet is 12 years old, and lives near Kansas City, Missouri in 1863 during the Civil War. Instead of doing activities a typical 12 year old girl would do during this time period, Juliet witnesses her father being shot and her house burned to the ground by Union soldiers. She is taken prisoner by Union soldiers and kept in a dilapidated building in Kansas City which collapses killing other young girls and women she knew. She is kidnapped by a man she trusted, and gave away her deceased mother's pearl necklace in order to obtain a cow that would provide milk for baby pets and a mother-to-be family member. She then must face her own private dark side of her "moon" when she is confronted by a Union soldier. After reading this book you to will agree with the comment Juliet's brother says to her, "The best part of your life is being wasted in war".

Discussion Questions

1. This book views the Civil War from the Confederate's perspective. From what you have learned about the Civil War in class and in this book, compare and contrast the Confederate and Union perspectives of the Civil War.

2. Juliet relied on her brother, Seth, for support when faced with some very traumatic events in her life. Who have you gone to for support during difficult events in your life, and how did this person provide support for you? Compare the list you develop for Juliet to your list. Any similarities? Any differences?

http://annrinaldi.net/