Literature For a Diverse Society: Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins

Perkins, M. (2007). Rickshaw girl. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
 
From Kirkus Reviews:
“Money is tight, and Naima wants to do something to help her family. If only she were a boy like her friend Saleem, she'd be able to drive her father's rickshaw and add to the family's income. Naima does have a special talent; she can paint beautiful alpacas--traditional patterns used by women to decorate Bangladeshi homes during special occasions--but how can this help her make money? When Naima decides to disguise herself as a boy and drive the rickshaw, she accidentally crashes it, and the family's debt soars even higher. Now Naima is more determined then ever to help her family--and prove that being a girl can be a good thing. Straightforward black-and-white pastel illustrations incorporate alpaca patterns and depict various elements of Naima's daily life, and a helpful Bangla glossary and informative notes are included. A child-eye's view of Bangladesh that makes a strong and accessible statement about heritage, tradition and the changing role of women, Naima's story will be relished by students and teachers alike. (Fiction. 7-10)”
From Horn Book:
“Ten-year-old Naima may win prizes for designing and painting alpanas, the traditional decorative patterns that women use to adorn homes in their small Bangladeshi village, but, as her mother says, "Alpanas can't put rice on the table." Naima's parents can't afford school fees for both their daughters; now that it's her little sister's turn for schooling, disguising herself as a boy seems the only way for Naima to contribute much-needed earnings to her household. Naima's covert attempt to drive her father's rickshaw during his lunch break is met with disastrous results. Ultimately, though, Naima's recklessness leads to a solution that enables her to earn money with her talents-no disguise necessary. Perkins depicts a rural Bangladesh on the verge of change, as evolving gender roles travel from big cities to small villages. In addition to capturing contemporary Bangladeshi culture, Perkins even connects the vibrant plot to the economic model of microfinance- probably a first for an early chapter book! Black-and-white pastel drawings depict authentic alpana designs and also provide glimpses into Naima's dynamic world, underscoring the novel's accessible message about the intersections of tradition and transformation. A glossary and an author's note are appended. (Younger, Intermediate)”

Keywords: Bengladesh; Rickshaw; Painting; Women’s Rights

I am recommending this book for grades 3-5. I think this could be an excellent discussion starter for discussing gender equality. I think that the the author statement and the glossary add authenticity to this story from another culture. This book can be used to cover the Kentucky Education Standards for Primary and Intermediate Social Studies:
2.14 Students understand the democratic principles of justice, equality, responsibility, and freedom and apply them to real-life situations.
2.16 Students observe, analyze, and interpret human behaviors, social groupings, and institutions to better understand people and the relationships among individuals and among groups.
2.17 Students interact effectively and work cooperatively with the many ethnic and cultural groups of our nation and world.
2.20 Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective.
Retrieved from Kentucky Education Standards 11/27/17

(image retrieved form author's Website which also has more information about the author, her work, and her activism.)

Piehl, N. (2007). Rickshaw girl. The Horn Book Magazine, 83(3), 288. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.uky.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/docview/199309538?accountid=11836

RICKSHAW GIRL. 2006. Kirkus Reviews(23) (Dec 01), Retrieved from http://ezproxy.uky.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/docview/917241641?accountid=11836

Informational Books: Electrical Wizard

Rusch, E., & Dominguez, O. (2013). Electrical wizard : How Nikola Tesla lit up the world. Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press.

From the Publisher:

“When a Serbian boy named Nikola Tesla was three, he stroked his cat and was enchanted by the electrical sparks. By the time he was a teenager, he had made a vow: Someday I will turn the power of Niagara Falls into electricity. Here is the story of the ambitious young man who brought life-changing ideas to America, despite the obstructive efforts of his hero-turned-rival, Thomas Edison. From using alternating current to light up the Chicago World’s Fair to harnessing Niagara to electrify New York City and beyond, Nikola Tesla was a revolutionary ahead of his time. Remote controls, fluorescent lights, X-rays, speedometers, cell phones, even the radio — all resulted from Nikola Tesla’s inventions. Established biographer Elizabeth Rusch sheds light on this extraordinary figure, while fine artist Oliver Dominguez brings his life and inventions to vivid color.” Retrieved from Candlewick Press Website 11/13/2017.

From School Library Journal:

Recommended for Gr 2-5

“Although Edison's inventions are celebrated in many children's books, his rival, Nikola Tesla, receives little attention. Rusch's picture-book biography starts to correct that imbalance. From childhood experiments through college studies, Tesla exhibited an interest in electricity. By the time he designed his alternating current (AC) system, he had moved from Eastern Europe to Paris but could find no investors to fund his projects. Convinced that Edison would recognize AC's value, Tesla came to America. Rather than welcome him, Edison set out to discredit AC because it threatened the direct current (DC) power stations he owned. Tesla's breakthrough came when Westinghouse, which used his inventions, won the bid to supply electricity to the Chicago World's Fair. That success was followed by Tesla's achievements in harnessing power generated by Niagara Falls to supply electricity for New York cities. Dramatic incidents such as Tesla's lighting a bulb with his hand are explained in scientific notes at the end. Diagrams and text clarify how AC and DC work, and Rusch stresses the dangers of experimenting with electricity. She provides source notes for quotations and offers detailed explanations of the Tesla-Edison rivalry and of other Tesla inventions. Dominguez's gouache and acrylic illustrations include impressive panoramas of the World's Fair and Niagara Falls, but the people lack animation. A more serious problem is the failure to provide historical context. There are no dates in the text itself, and there is no time line. Despite this oversight, most libraries should consider purchasing the book for its clear biographical details reinforced by scientific explanations. Students might compare Rusch's presentation with one or more books about Edison.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankatoα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.” Retreived from Amazon.com 11/13/2017.

Key Words:

Electricity, Tesla, Edison, Current

I am recommending this book for children in grades 3-5. This book would make a great read aloud for the classroom. The writing is dramatic. I think the lack of dates makes for interesting discussion and follow up. It will be clear to 3-5th grades that this takes place in the past before electricity was common. This might be a good introduction to studies about the Industrial Revolution, or The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, or of inventiveness and entrepreneurship. This book would certainly be a good addition to a science curriculum involving electrical currents and how they work.

This story would work well with Kentucky Educational standards for 4th grade 4-PS3-4: “Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.” And  4-ESS3-1: “Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.” Retreived 11/13/2017 from: https://education.ky.gov/curriculum/standards/kyacadstand/Documents/Kentucky_Academic_Standards_Science.pdf

Candlewick Press. (2013). Electrical Wizard How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World . Retrieved November 13, 2017, from http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763658553 

(September 1, 2013 ). Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up the World. School Library Journal Reviews, Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic

Historical Fiction: The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Bradley, K. B. (2015). The war that saved my life. New York: Penguin Group.

Review from School Library Journal:

Gr 4–6

“Bradley turns her keen historical eye from Monticello (Jefferson's Sons, Penguin, 2011) to the British home front during World War II. Ada isn't exactly sure how old she is; for as long as she can remember, she's been a virtual prisoner in her mother's third floor one-room apartment. She was born with a clubfoot and her mother uses her disability as an excuse to abuse her both emotionally and physically. Ada watches the world through the narrow confines of the apartment window, waves to neighbors in the street, and carefully gauges the danger of being beaten during each encounter with her hateful mother. She envies the freedom of her little brother, Jamie, who goes to school and generally roves the neighborhood at will. When her mother prepares to ship Jamie out to the countryside with other children being evacuated from London, Ada sneaks out with him. When the two fail to be chosen by any villagers, the woman in charge forces Susan Smith, a recluse, to take them in. Though Susan is reluctant and insists that she knows nothing about caring for children, she does so diligently and is baffled by the girl's fearful flinching anytime Ada makes a mistake. Though uneducated, Ada is intensely observant and quick to learn. Readers will ache for her as she misreads cues and pushes Susan away even though she yearns to be enfolded in a hug. There is much to like here-Ada's engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak, but most of all the tenacious will to survive exhibited by Ada and the villagers who grow to love and accept her.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ.” (Retrieved from Amazon.com 11/6/2017).

Lexile 580, Accelerated Reader Grade level: 4.1

Awards and Honors:

A Newbery Honor Book
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School)
Winner of the Josette Frank Award

(Retrieved from Amazon.com 11/6/2017).

Considering the content and the Lexile level, I recommend this book to children in grades 3-5. This book is very moving. The terrible abuse that the children receive from their mother has led to a recommendation for older children than the reading level allows for, but I do not think this is too graphic for third graders.

Key Words:

Disabilities, Abuse, World War II, Bombs

Tie-ins:

This book can be used for units on WWII and on units on rights for people with disabilities, and for discussions of child abuse and neglect. 
It can tie in with the Primary academic standards for Social Studies 2.16 and 2.20. 
2.16: "Students observe, analyze, and interpret human behaviors, social groupings, and institutions to better understand people and the relationships among individuals and among groups."
2.20 :"Students understand, analyze, and interpret historical events, conditions, trends, and issues to develop historical perspective."
Retreived 11/13/2017 from: https://education.ky.gov/comm/UL/Documents/Kentucky%20Academic%20Standards_Final-9%2011%2015.pdf

Realistic Fiction: This is the Rope by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson, J. (2013). This is the rope; A story from the great migration. New York: Nancy Paulson Books.

Review from the the Bulletin for of the Center for Children's Books:
6-9 yrs
"An old piece of rope serves as a framing device for a story that follows an AfricanAmerican family from South Carolina to New York City mid-century. The rope remains with the family for three generations, from its earliest use as a jump rope “under the shade of a sweet-smelling pine” in the South to its more utilitarian functions as clothesline and sign holder in the city. The text on each spread begins with “This is the rope” and goes on to tell, in spare, eloquent ragged-right prose, how the rope played a role in the family’s personal history. Short of the introductory author’s note, there is not much history here; this is simply a beautifully told family tale about a loving, close-knit African-American family over several decades. The fictional tale is told from the point of view of the original pair’s granddaughter, a character who herself appears skipping rope on the penultimate spread under the watchful eyes of her parents and grandparents. The language is deliberate and lyrical, and the gentle pacing calls for a slow, deliberate readaloud. Ransome’s oil paintings feature landscapes indicative both of the changing geography and the passing of time; while some figures are a little stiff, others are remarkable, with light falling on faces at the perfect angle and facial features carrying abundant emotion. Young listeners may need assistance to conceptualize the family relations and the passing of time, but they will nevertheless be drawn to this warm and hope-filled tale." (Morrison, 2013).


I recommend this book for grades 3-5. This book can provide a mirror experience for any child who has a strong inter-generational family connection, or who has moved far away, or who has moved from the country to the city, or who loves to jump rope, or is black. It is a window or a door to another way of experiencing the world for anyone who has not experienced one, or some, or any of those things.

This book would pair well with or be a good intro to reading One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (2010) or even in older grades to Brown Girl Dreaming (also by Woodson, 2014). For grades three and up I would read the Author's note at the beginning. I think that this is a great classroom read aloud and discussion starter.

Keywords:Family, Generations, Migration, African American

Morrison, H. (2013). This Is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson (review). Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 67(2), 126.

Williams-Garcia. R. (2010). One crazy summer. New York: Amistad.

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. New York: Penguin Group.