Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World

I am so fortunate to have had one of my smart book club members (a 7th grader) who loves nonfiction tell me that I should read Sy Montgomery’s Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World. I learned so much about the amazing woman who gave the world answers to what it feels like to live in an autistic world. She, also, gave animals going to slaughter a comfortable end to their lives by designing systems that are cruelty-free. I appreciate the way Temple Grandin describes her connection to animals as a result of the way her brain processes information. She describes her mind as being made up of photographic images. I learned so much from this book and can’t wait to share it with my students. The video clip below is an introduction to the HBO movie of Temple Grandin’s life – many of the scenes are in this book.

A Girl Named Faithful Plum

Richard Bernstein describes his wife’s younger years in A Girl Named Faithful Plum: The True Story of a Dancer from China and How She Achieved Her Dream. In 1977, Zhongmei was an eleven-year-old growing up in a small farm town in China. She loved to dance and was determined to audition in the big city of Beijing for their elite dance company. Her family had to make huge sacrifices for her to travel days just to try out for this prestigious dance troupe. She quickly realizes the prejudices she must face because she is not a cultured city girl with connections. She works hard each and every day to learn how to be the best. She is forced to grow up quickly, just to fit in. The author does an excellent job of describing the government changes during that time period and how the big cities differed from the rural areas of China. I appreciate how far Zhongmei came from her humble beginnings with loving siblings to the exalted stage. I am placing this book on my 6th grade reading list next year – what a great tie in to World Cultures. Watch the video clip below to see Zhongmei’s dances.

A Girl Named Faithful Plum-Dance Excerpt from zhongmei li on Vimeo.

Steve Jobs The Man Who Thought Different

I just finished reading Karen Blumenthal's Steve Jobs The Man Who Thought Different - another selection from the Texas Lone Star Reading List 2013-14. I was so excited to see that this book made the list, because surprisingly many middle school students don't know anything about Steve Jobs even though their most treasured possessions were created because of Jobs. This biography is detail-oriented and sticks straight to the facts about Jobs' philosophy on life, his personal characteristics, his work history, and what people truly thought about him which wasn't always flattering. It is vital that young adults know about Steve Jobs as he was one of the most innovative people in our contemporary world. Click on the tribute video below from ABC News.

The Dreamer

The Dreamer, written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Peter Sís, is a fictionalized coming of age story based on the childhood of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. The double-spaced, large text and flowing illustrations will appeal to upper elementary and middle school readers. The story reads like a parable. The story opens with a sickly Neftali (young Pablo) in bed. Neftali’s head is filled with so many thoughts; it takes him to faraway lands. His harsh father accuses him of daydreaming and insists that he will amount to nothing if he doesn’t build up his strength. Neftali loves to collect things – including words. For many years, his father berates Neftali’s aspirations. No matter the situation, Neftali disappoints his father. Pam Munoz Ryan’s depiction of Neftali’s hopes and dreams is eloquent. Adolescents who have been belittled because they are different or because they have different interests will be able to relate to this story. Other wonderful books by Pam Munoz Ryan include Esperanza Rising, Becoming Naomi Leόn, Riding Freedom, and Paint the Wind.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I want each of us to take a few minutes to reflect on the accomplishments he made in his short life. He had strong beliefs which he presented to the world in a peaceful manner. His legacy teaches us that one person CAN make a difference. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a must read for this annual day of remembrance. This picture book is written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by the talented Bryan Collier. This poignant book is rich in life-like, beautiful illustrations and portrays Dr. King as a young boy. The background for his notable life is set in this story. Click on the video below for a preview of the book.