Module 2: African American Literature, Max Found Two Sticks

MAX FOUND TWO STICKS

Pinkney, Brian. 1997. MAX FOUND TWO STICKS. New York, New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 9780689815935

Plot Summary

Max is sitting on the steps one day watching the clouds swirl in the sky and the wind blow the leaves of the trees when suddenly the wind causes two strong sticks to fall from a nearby tree.

Max begins to beat out the rhythm of the things he hears instead of talking. Max use various items as drums such as a pail from his grandfather, his sister's hat boxes, empty soda bottles, and trash cans. A marching band passes in front of Max's house and to his surprise one of the drummers tosses him an extra pair of drum sticks. "And the beat goes on."

Critical Analysis

Brian Pinkney uses bright color oil paints and gouache in his scratchboard illustrations to provide a lively, colorful setting for his young character, Max. The setting is in an urban city lined with row house apartments. The opening of this story finds Max leisurely sitting on the front steps leading to the street. The black, short, curly haired Max is dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt and tennis shoes. His large brown eyes reveal a reflective nature which is evident as the story unfolds. His friends, Cindy, Shaun and Jamal represent the diversity of culture you might expect to find in a large city. Around the corner is a church building which looks like a cathedral also found in large cities. Pinkney shortens his words to reveal a distinctive dialogue using words such as doin, gonna,and whatacha doin when the characters address Max and ask him what he is doing. Max stays focused on his drumming and continues to hear the beat of the music in everything around him. the plot is simple with flat characters and simple dialogue. The illustrations provide the energy in this picture book of a young boy with a music focus.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly: "The fluid lines of Pinkney's distinctive scratchboard illustrations fairly swirl with energy, visually translating Max's joy in creating rhythm and sound."

Kirkus Reviews: "Pinkney's illustrations are superb; they vividly convey the imagination and vitality of this budding young musican. A perfect marriage of idea and art."

Awards/Connections

MUSIC, MUSIC FOR EVERYONE, written by Vera B. Williams

MY FAMILY PLAYS MUSIC, written by Judy Cox

VIOLET'S MUSIC, written by Angela Johnson

JAZZ, written by Walter Dean Myers

Module 2: African American Literature, Locomotion

LOCOMOTION

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2003. LOCOMOTION. New York, New York: Penguin. ISBN 9780142401491

Plot Summary

Without realizing it, Ms. Marcus, Lonnie's teacher gives him an outlook to express his grief and anger by introducing the class to poetry. This novel in verse shows his feelings in the form of Haiku, Sonnets, and mostly Free Verse. His wonder fairy-tale-like life is ripped away after losing his parents in a house fire when he is seven years old. Lonnie and his sister, Lilli are placed in multiple homes/foster care before only Lilli is adopted. Lonnie is allowed to visit his sister which is of some comfort. Miss Edna takes in Lonnie knowing she can't replace his parents but tries to provide a home with stability, warmth, and boundaries. This touching story allows the reader to feel the grief and suffering of Lonnie, while watching him triumph over his anger and grief to one of peace, acceptance and belonging once again through the avenue of poetry, his sister Lilli and Miss Edna's caring.

Critical Analysis

Weaving in themes of resiliency and love into the plot of this novel in verse, Woodson also uses language to give her characters identity and dimension as well as allowing the text to flow smoothly. "Not a whole lot of people be saying Good, Lonnie to me so I write the string-of-smoke thing down real fast." In describing his grief Lonnie states, "Some days, like today and yesterday and probably tomorrow - all my missing gets jumbled up inside of me." Miss Edna's caring is illustrated in her words, "How long will he carry this burden?" and "Get three.(referring to Twinkies). You know how we loves ourselves some Twinkies Lonnie." Miss Edna prays for her son in the war and takes food to her son who lives away. An example of people trying to take care of their own is seen right after Lonnie's parents die in the fire. The children are passed from one church family to another until "there ain't no more church people, just group homes where people come sometimes to bring us food and toys and read us books they wrote. Then go on home to their own families." A brief description of Lonnie in his List Poem show that he has ten cornrows, brown eyes, a watch from his daddy, a gold chain with a cross from his mother, and lotion so his skin doesn't look ashy. I only recently discovered that ashy skin is a problem for African Americans and that is why they use lotion on their skin and oil in their hair. Woodson alludes to the fact of poverty when Lonnie writes in his poem LaTenya about cafeteria food, "I just ate a cheeseburger with fries and some applesauce which means today's a good lunch day 'cause sometimes they put stuff on your tray and you don't know what it is but you eat it anyway 'cause Mr. Hungry don't care." My first three years of teaching were in a very low socioeconomic urban school and the previous quote reminded me of those precious children who ate everything on their lunch trays and the Thanksgiving school meal was one of their biggest pleasures. Woodson provides indirect insight into the urban setting of this story when she states that Lonnie has to take several busses and then walk five blocks to visit his sister. This description also helps to illustrate the lengths Lonnie will take to keep his connection alive with his dearly beloved little sister. Woodson uses diversity in regards to the Lonnie's school mates which would be typical of an inner city school. "Six Puerto Ricans, Manny, Lourdes, Jillian, Samantha, Carlos and Sophia. There's two Dominicans - Angel and Maritza. Gina and Cara are from Trinidad and Guy is from Jamica. All the rest of us are from right here. All the rest of us are African American," writes Lonnie in one of his poems. Lonnie gives a glimpse into church life in his poem Church. Miss Edna wears a bright hat and Lonnie has to wear his suit. "Old ladies and men nodding. Miss Edna every now and then throwing her hand in the air. Saying Yes, Lord and Preach! The chorus marches up behind the preacher clapping and humming and getting ready to sing." I have never been to an African American church but this description matches what I have seen in movies and documentaries.

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews: "As in her prose novels, Woodson's created a character whose presence you can feel like they were sitting next to you."

Horn Book: "Every line should count." "This advice ... applies to every children's book author writing a novel in verse and it is a directive that Jacqueline Woodson has followed superbly in this moving story of a foster child who discovers that writing poetry can ease the pain and amplify the joy in his life." "You have a poet's heart, Lonnie," Ms. Marcus tells him; thanks to his author, he also has a strong and believable voice."

Awards/Connections

A National Book Award Finalist

A Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book

A Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book

An ALA Notable Book

BRONX MASQUERADE, written by Nikki Grimes

WHERE I'S LIKE TO BE, written by Frances O'Roark Dowell

PICTURES OF HOLLIS WOODS, witten by Patricia Reilly Giff

LOVE THAT DOG, written by Sharon Creech

Module 2: African American Literature THE BLACKER THE BERRY

THE BLACKER THE BERRY

"Colors without black, couldn't sparkle quite so bright"

Thomas, Joyce Carol. THE BLACKER THE BERRY. Ill. by Floyd Cooper. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN9780060253769

Plot Summary

A collection of twelve poems that warmly and lovingly illustrate the many shades or African American children take the reader on a color palette discovery. "What Shade is Human?" begins the journey of relating varying hues of color to children and the value of each. Milk comes in different flavors as well as different types and necessary for the survival of babies. Dark, sweet, juicy blackberries are especially delicious. Sometimes colors are mixed and produce a beautiful color that should be celebrated as the mixing of "raspberries stirred into blackberries" to simulate the African-Native-American culture. Thomas uses a variety of berries to illustrate that like the wonderful goodness of the fruit, the people representing those colors are just as wonderful. Biscuits, toast, the color of eggplant,the warmth of sunshine on your face; all these images Thomas uses to celebrate the wonderful diverseness of color in African American children.

Critical Analysis

Floyd Cooper's warm, luminous illustrations highlight precious children and their uniqueness in regards to the color of their skin. The use of warm rich colors, smiling faces and shining eyes marry with Joyce Carol Thomas' text to produce a children's book to help remind children how unique and wonderful they are. Cooper's portraits show differences in hair. The illustrations in "Coffee Will Make You Black" shows the grandmother with a kerchief wrapped around her head while the young grandson with black, short, curly-hair loving wraps his arms around her neck. Corn-rows

pig-tails, long, and curly hair are evident in his illustrations of children. The setting throughout the book is rural with a heavy emphasis on nature.

Thomas gives value to the child who comes from different cultures, highlighting the strength of the ancestor. In "Raspberry Black" the young child learns that his African American grandmother loved her Seminole Indian husband. "Cranberry Red" alludes to differences due to Irish ancestry, each realizing people of their past make them the unique children of today. This collection of poems flows without the use of dialects or specific language patterns. Mama and Papa, Grandma, Grandmother, are names used in these poems. Themes of acceptance, diversity, and value are seen in the illustrations as well as the text.

Reviews

Horn Book: "This collection will encourage African American children to embrace the skin they're in and, by extension, invite children of all races to enjoy whatever their heritage has made them."

Booklist: "Black comes in all shades from dark to light, and each is rich and beautiful in this collection of simple, joyful poems and glowing portraits that show African american diversity and connections."

Connections/Awards:

ALL THE COLORS WE ARE, written by Katie Kissinger, Wernher Krutein photographer

THE SKIN I'M IN: A FIRST LOOK AT RACISM, written by Pat Thomas,

Lesley Harker illustrator

2009 Coretta Scott King Award

2009 ALA Notable Children's Books - Middle Readers

2008 Editor's Choice Children's Books

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING

Lindgren, Astrid. 1978. PIPPI LONGSTOCKING. Ill. by Louis S. Glanzman. New York: Viking Penguin, Inc. ISBN 9780670557455

Plot Summary

Independent and energetic Pippi Longstocking is always on an adventure. Pippi, believing her father will come back for her someday, moves into their house named Villa Villekula with a pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson and a horse, Old Man who lives on the front porch. Pippi befriends the two neighbor children Tommy and Annika and turns their rule following, well mannered world topsy-turvy. Tommy and Annika watch with wide-eyed amazement as Pippi refuses and confuses a policeman who comes to take her to a children's home since it is not right for a child to be living alone. Pippi has a way of exasperating adults which is very evident when Pippi decides she needs to go to school. She thinks she is missing out on something fun. Pippi's first day of school becomes her last day because school has rules, and rules are not for Pippi.

Burglars find the tables are suddenly switched as Pippi teaches them the schottische and gives them money for dancing with her. When the children go to the circus Pippi displays her super human strength as well as her ability to turn everything into a game. Later in the story a burning building provides entertainment for the energetic Pippi as she rescues two children while the adults stand around wondering what will happen.

A coffee party at Tommy and Annika's house proves to be another disaster for the adults but outrageous fun for the spunky Pippi. She arrives trying her best to use her polite grown up manners but Pippi is too independent to be or do anything normal. Poor Pippi doesn't want to embarrass her friends at the coffee party so she arrives in attire that is hideous to everyone except Pippi, who thinks she is quite stylish. She spills sugar on the floor and eats as much as she wants whenever she wants. She throws her face into the middle of the cream pie trying to get the candy from the center and later tries to contribute to the ladies' conversation by telling outlandish tales about her maid.

The end of the incredible story finds Tommy and Annika celebrating Pippi's birthday with the "don't touch the floor" game and investigating the attic for would-be ghosts. What they do find is an old chest full of clothes, a sword and three pistols. The children leave Pippi to go home with their father. As she stands in the doorway with a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other she declares she will become a pirate someday. After reading this hilarious story the reader can't help but agree with a statement from one of the sailors from the beginning of the story: "Pippi is a remarkable child!"

Critical Analysis

Cultural makers are evident in the text with names such as Thunder Karlsson, Annika, Gustav, and Bengt. Lindgren introduces the reader to a Swedish cookie treat "pepparkakor." Even the house has a special name, "Villa Villekula" which includes a parlor in the place of a living room. Pippi has a garden filled with fragrant flowers. Lindgren exposes the reader to other vocabulary words such as hassock, griddle, and pajama blanket (which is a type of pajama worn by children).

The black inked illustrations provide some insight into the setting in regards to clothing, buildings and rooms. The illustrations portray an old fashioned stove with a griddle for making pancakes. Illustrations of the police uniforms are European looking, reminiscent of the English "bobby." The text functions well without the illustrations because Lindgren involves the reader so deeply with the characters and their adventures.

Children love this story because Astrid Lindgren allows the reader to escape into a world where a child makes their own decisions and rules do not apply to them. Even though this story was first published in 1945 it still embodies the feelings of childhood and shows a character who perseveres in all types of situations with outlandish antics and a big heart. The descriptive text provides a vivid picture of Pippi Longstocking as she goes beyond the norm to impress her new friends Tommy and Annika. The world has changes since this book was first printed.

Reviews

Horn Book: "A rollicking story."

Book Links: " American readers have enjoyed Pippi Longstocking, a story written about an outspoken, independent girl with wild red hair, for almost 60 years."

Awards

Astrid Lindgren received the Hans Christian Anderson Award in 1958.

Connections

Pippi Longstocking can be used for various activities within the classroom. Model a 'correct" coffee party, complete with invitations. Begin by allowing the students too design a coffee or tea party based upon their research findings regarding food, etiquette, and attire.

During PE students can learn how to dance the schottische. In the classroom they can research the origin of the dance and discover if it has evolved or is similar to dances in the US.

KOALA LOU

Fox, Mem. 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. New York, Harcourt, Inc.

ISBN 9780152005023

Plot Summary

Adorable, cuddly Koala Lou is loved by everyone. Her mother would throw her arms around her precious baby and claim, "Koala Lou I do love you!" several times each day. As nature would have it, Koala Lou's mother added more children to the family which took up most of

her time. Especially her time spent with Koala Lou. What to do? Koala Lou thought if she became the winner of the Bush Olympics her mother would notice her and be so proud of her that she would once again throw her arms around Koala Lou and say the sweet words, "Koala Lou, I love you!" The training begins and Koala Lou works her little self into exhaustion as she climbs tall trees, lifts weights and jogs every day. On the day of the race all the animals are anxiously awaiting for the games to begin. Koala Lou comes in second and is devastated. Koala Lou pulls herself together after a good cry and returns home where her mother is waiting with those wonderful words, "Koala Lou, I do love you!" and a very long hug.

Critical Analysis

How important is it to tell your children how much you love them? Just ask Koala Lou. It meant everything to her. Mem Fox captures the innocence of a child in her furry character of Koala Lou. Eldest children will identify with Koala Lou because they have seen their mothers involved with the new babies. Sibling rivalry has been a theme in many children's books. The time spent together gets taken up by the new baby and then the eldest child feels left out. Mem Fox begins the journey with happiness and the fact that everything is right with the world, according to Koala Lou. As sibling rivalry creeps into the story more anxiety begins to show in the face of the young koala. Despair is evident when Koala Lou comes in second during the Bush Olympics. She feels like a failure. At the end of the story the warmth and contented expressions are back as Koala Lou's mother repeats the words that mean everything to her offspring, "Koala Lou, I DO love you! I always have and I always will." The strong emotion of a mother's love can be felt in the words and illustrations.

Australian artist Pamela Lofts provides lively, colorful illustrations which marry with the text into a heart warming story for children of all ages any where in the world. She brings the colors of the Aboriginal people into her settings and animals. Animals native to Australia are represented by the emu and the kookaburra.

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews: This satisfying reworking of a familiar and ever-important theme is appealingly illustrated - bright colors, soft-edged sculptural forms, precise detail, dozens of expressive animals.

Publishers Weekly: "...positive messages to children about the wonders of being human: Koala Lou celebrates the eternal love of a mother for her child without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever, and Night Noises, lovingly bridges the generation gap."

Connections

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU written by Sam McBratney - illustrated by Anita Jeram

ON THE NIGHT YOU WERE BORN written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman

LOVE YOU FOREVER written by Robert Munsch - illustrated by Sheila McGraw

Module 1: International Literature

THE THIEF LORD

Funke, Cornelia. 2000. THE THIEF LORD. Scholastic, Inc: New York. ISBN 9780329349264

Plot Summary

Young orphaned brothers Prosper (age 12) and Boniface (Bo, age 5) flee the city of Hamburg, Germany from the adopting hands of their relatives Aunt Esther and Uncle Max Hartlieb, to the city of Venice, Italy. When adopted, the Hartlieb's plan is for Prosper to be sent to boarding school, with perhaps monthly visits to see his brother, and the Hartlieb's will raise Bo, because he is such an adorable little boy. Neither boy wants to be separated from the other and the adventure begins when they arrive in Venice. The Hartlieb's also arrive in Venice and procure the services of detective Victor Getz who "always get his man." They are befriended by a member of a band of thieves, a young girl named Hornet, and two boys close to the age of Prosper named Riccio and Mosca, and the leader the Thief Lord himself, the bird mask wearing Scipio. The mask hides more than the face of their leader. Scipio provides his friends money, food and a place to live by bringing them objects he claims to have stolen from wealthy homes. The group then takes the stolen goods to a greedy shopkeeper named Barbarossa who exchanges money for the stolen merchandise.

Barbarossa entices the group by telling them he has a client who needs something stolen from the possession of Ida Spavento: a mysterious broken wooden wing. If successful, they will be paid an enormous sum of money. The theft goes wrong and Ida tells the young thieves a tale about the wing and a stolen magical carousel which can turn back or advance a person's age. This intrigues both Scipio as he longs to be an adult and away from his father's world. Ida gives the wing to the children and they all decide to try and discover the location of the carousel. During all this time the boys are discovered, the real identity of the wealthly Scipio is revealed, and Bo ends up in a hotel with the Hartliebs, bound for Germany.

Action, adventure, and disappointment are woven into this tale of children longing for friendship, safety, and loving families and adults who are greedy, selfish, loving and caring.

Critical Analysis

The Thief Lord is a fictional story with themes of brotherly love, camaraderie, loyalty, longing, greed and a twist of magic towards the end. Funke creatively weaves these themes into her story of the a young band of thieves, a greedy shopkeeper, uncaring, self-centered relatives and a detective and an unusual woman who helps tie up the loose ends at the end of the mysterious adventure. All these different story lines may cause younger readers some difficulty as they try to follow the many directions the text takes. Older readers will be intrigued by the suspense of children living and surviving on their own.

The setting of Venice is appropriate for a group of young thieves because the city itself is old and has many tourists, winding streets and ancient passage ways which will allow a person or persons to escape quickly or just blend into the scenery. Funke sprinkles in some Italian vocabulary to help flavor the story with some of the old world charm and does not distract the reader's comprehension. A map of the city and a glossary are provided at the end of the book.

Funke portrays Scipio to be an independent, confident and fearless leader of the orphaned/runaway children when in fact the Thief Lord is his alter ego. He lives with his wealthy parents surrounded by servants in an enormous house. Soon the real truth is discovered by Prosper and the character of the Thief Lord becomes small, withdrawn, and quiet. His father is always busy entertaining friends and never has time for young Scipio who might as well be an orphan. It is revealed that all the items stolen were from his own house.

The other adult characters in this story have much in common with Scipio's father in relationship to being consumed with self.

Only Ida and Victor seem compassionate and portray positive adult role models. This will appeal to children who think that being a grown up solves problems and underestimate the joys of childhood. But then again, not every childhood is a pleasurable life-shaping experience. The Thief Lord should evoke much discussion and could even be a front loading experience for a study of homeless people, not only in our country, but throughout the world.

Reviews

Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy: "On a final note, The Thief Lord, which was translated from German into English, has won several European children's literature awards. The book itself provides a wonderful blend of escapist literature and life truths that make it a delightful read."

Kirkus Reviews: "The magical city of Venice, with its moonlit waters, maze of canals, and magnificent palaces, is an excellent setting for the plot twists and turns in this fantasy/mystery/adventure, all rolled into one spellbinding story. A best selling author in Germany, who has reached the US for the first time, Funke delights readers in the feelings of childhood, what it feels like to be innocent, afraid, curious, and safe; need friends and love; and want independence yet also cared for."

Connections

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING by Astrid Lindgren

THE FAMILY UNDER THE BRIDGE by Natalie Savage Carlson

THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan

MANIAC MAGEE by Jerry Spinelli

Awards

2002 - #2 on the New York Times bestseller list for 25 weeks

USA Today bestseller list

2003 - Mildred L. Batchelder Award

2003 - Book Sense Book of the Year (children's Literature Winner)

Swiss Youth Literature Award

Zurich Children's Book Award

Book Award from the Venice House of Literature