Primary Multicultural

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Recorvits, H. (2008). Yoon and the jade bracelet. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books.

Summary:
Yoon is a young from Korea. For her birthday she wishes for a jump rope. Instead she gets a jade bracelet from her mother. Yoon goes to school and watches the other girls jump rope and dreams of joining them. One of the girls notices Yoon bracelet and becomes her friend. The other girls tells Yoon that friends share their things, so Yoon lets her wear the bracelet. The next day the girl does not want to return it and tells people it is hers. Will Yoon get her bracelet back?

Discussion Questions:
1.) How would you feel if you made a new friend and she took something of yours? What would you do?
2.)Do you think kids can learn a lesson from this book? What would you the lesson be?

Author's Website:
http://treasures.macmillanmh.com/california/teachers/people/helen-recorvits

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Intermediate Graphic Novel

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Shiga, J. (2010). Meanwhile. New York, NY: Abrams Books.

Summary:
In the graphic novel, Meanwhile, readers are taken on a new path each time they read it. It all starts with the decision between chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Once the decision is made you continue to follow the tiny tubes to find a different path each time. On each path you follow Jimmy who finds himself at a lab run by a mad scientist. Jimmy is given the choice of a time traveling machine, mind reading machine, and the Killitron 3000. Readers are engaged in puzzles and clues to see if they lead Jimmy to happiness or destruction.

Discussion Questions:
1.) What changes would you make to the story in Meanwhile? Why?
2.) How is this book similar to decisions you have to make in your own life?
3.) How would the book be different if all paths lead you to a happy ending? Do you think it is important to have some end in doom?

Author Website:
http://www.shigabooks.com/

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By Jeff Kinney

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
By Lincoln Peirce

Intermediate Historical Fiction

Kelly, J. (2009). The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:
In this historical fiction novel, Calpurnia Tate is struggling to grow up with certain expectations of a young girl entering the 20th century. Calpurnia is the middle child of seven and the only female. She is more interested in "boy" things and becomes close with her grandfather. Together they work on Science. Calpurnia's mother wants her to learn to cook and sew like everyone young woman should. Will Calpurnia follow the path of the other young women or will she find herself on a different one?

Discussion questions:
1.) How would you feel if you had to grow up like Calpurnia Tate? Why?
2.) How would you have handled Calpurnia's life? Do you think she did a good job?
3.) What do you think Calpurnia's life would be like if her grandfather wasn't present? Why?

Author website:
http://www.jacquelinekelly.com

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Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
By Grace Lin
Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009