Peretti, P. (2018). The Distance between Me and the Cherry Tree. Atheneum Books
for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781534439627
Plot Summary
Mafalda is an average girl who likes to play soccer, count the stars, and climb her favorite cherry tree. However there is one thing about her that is not average, she is slowly going blind. As she descends into the darkness she starts to notice people treating her differently and she doesn’t like it. In order to avoid the changes she decides to go live in the cherry tree by the school she attends. Through this journey of going “into the dark” Malfalda starts to see the light and learns more about life than she expected.
Analysis
This story takes place in Italy and references an Italian book The Baron in the Trees. The main character Mafalda is slowly going blind and in order to cope with this as well as the loss of her grandmother she talks to Cosimo, a character in The Baron in the Trees nightly almost as a prayer. From this story that was beloved by her father she gets the idea to run away and live in the cherry tree. Throughout the story there are references to Italian culture, such as names and activities. Mafalda also makes friends with Estella the school janitor who is a Romanian immigrant and her cousin's girlfriend is Indian which adds to the diversity of the book.
Another aspect of this book is the fact that Mafalda has Stargardt disease which is also what the author of this book has. It gives readers a perspective of what it might be like to slowly go blind. Mafalda shows readers that she is scared of what is happening to her but the people surrounding her support her and often tell her to never give up. This story is heartbreaking but necessary to develop empathy for the visually impared community.Reviews
"A quiet, philosophical story for thoughtful readers." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Peretti provides a tunnel of light for readers to reach for." -- Booklist
"A great opportunity to teach empathy and understanding." ― School Library Connection
Connections
Recipient of a Batchelder Honor
Video Clip of the Author discussing this book and her inspiration.
Ferrada, M. J. (2018). Mexique: A Refugee Story from the Spanish Civil War. Eerdmans
Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-0-8028-5545-9
Penyas, Ana. 2018. Mexique: A Refugee Story from the Spanish Civil War by Maria Jose Ferrada. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-0-8028-5545.
Plot Summary
In 1937 the ship the Mexique sailed from France to Mexico carrying hundreds of children trying to escape the Spanish civil war. The children were sent alone with no parents into the waiting arms of Mexicans who were sympathetic to their cause. This story shares the journey through a child's eyes. The children were told that the trip would just be like an extra long summer vacation that later turned into forever for many of the children.
Analysis
This story takes a closer look at the experience of refugee children. It depicts the journey that Spanish children took to escape the civil war in their country. It shows the older children having to care for the younger ones and the kids playing games that show the toll the war has taken on them. Children crying out in their sleep and the very long journey to a safe place that they will never return from tug at the reader's heart strings. The illustrator uses dark muted grays with an occasional splash of red to depict the somber tone of the story. The illustrations seem to be done in pencil with basic images. Also included in the back of the book is an afterword that gives the reader more information about the journey that these children had to embark on as well as the unfortunate fact that most of the children never returned to their homeland of Spain. This story gives the reader empathy for refugees and the struggle that this group of people experienced.
Reviews
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Specific yet universal in its narration, this makes the refugee experience accessible to young readers.”
Booklist
“In commemoration of a lesser-known predecessor to WWII’s Kindertransport, this atmospheric import recalls a 1937 voyage in which the titular ship carried 456 children of Spanish Republicans to safety in Mexico for, supposedly, a brief stay. Ferrada, a Chilean writer, takes the voice (if not the language) of a younger child for her terse, poetic narrative: ‘War is a huge hand that shakes you / and throws you onto a ship.’ Working from period photos for her illustrations, Penyas uses a dark, somber palette to portray downcast children trooping aboard a ship made small on a broad ocean, being welcomed in Veracruz, and then taking a train for Morelia, a city in Michoacán where, due to the outcome of the Spanish Civil War, most were to remain until at least 1948.”
Publishers Weekly
“A sobering contribution to the history of Spanish-speaking people in North America, and a memorial to a little-known group of refugees.”
The Horn Book Magazine
“Although the specifics of the story are clearly historical, there is a universality to them that connects these pages ot the tale of every child sent away from home for safety during times of war.”
Connections
Other books by Maria Jose Ferrada include: How to Order the Universe and Ninos: Poems for the Lost Children of Chile.
Krone, Bridget. (2020). Small Mercies. Catalyst Press. ISBN: 978-1-946395-16-0.
Plot Summary
Mercy is an orphan who is living with her two eccentric foster aunts. Her aunts are poor and one is struggling with Alzheimer's disease. Mercy is a quiet and shy child who does not have many friends in school. One day a developer knocks on their door and tries to buy their house. Mercy feels as though her world is falling apart when the social worker shows up out of nowhere, her home is being sold, and her aunt is having to move into an old folks home. What will happen to Mercy? Through this difficult time Mercy learns who she can count on and what it means to tell the truth and ask for help.
Analysis
This story takes place in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. At the beginning of the book the author includes a note about the term “coloured” and how it is used in South Africa versus how it is used in the United States. In this story Mercy is a mixed race child and her aunts are white. Her class and neighbors are all diverse which is common in the community of where she lives in South Africa. The author also brings in a character, Mr. Singh, who is Indian. Mr. Singh introduces Mercy to the practices and principles of Gandhi. After learning about Gandhi this gives Mercy the courage to tell the truth and speak up for herself. This story is full of vocabulary specific to South Africa including foods, slang, and cultural references. There are also references to the history of South Africa and the apartheid. Another topic that is portrayed in this book is the bullying that happens in school. Mercy is subjected to bullying by a student in her class and it takes all of the students together to stand up and protect themselves. Also included in the back of the book is a section that gives facts about Gandhi’s time in South Africa as well as interesting facts about bees. Both of these subjects are important parts of this story. A quick read with short simple chapters that will appeal to many readers.
Reviews
"Mercy is a winning protagonist who is by turns anxious, observant, and brave. South Africa is represented in its diversity: Mercy is mixed race, her aunts are white, and neighbors, classmates, and community members are from a range of racial and cultural backgrounds. Short, episodic chapters in the book's first half build to an emotionally compelling conclusion that is rich in insights about community, family, and social action. VERDICT This novel has a gentle, timeless feel, complex secondary characters, and quirky humor. A heartfelt, human, and wise addition to middle grade shelves.―Elizabeth Giles, Lubuto Library Partners, Zambia (School Library Journal)
"You will not leave the pages of this book without feeling somehow smarter and wiser and kinder. Why? Because Mercy's story is one that makes space for our hearts to grow. Beautifully written, here's an offering of love on the page." ― Kathi Appelt, New York Times Bestseller, Newbery Honor Award and National Book Honor winner
“Set in post-apartheid Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, this realistic story traces protagonist Mercy’s quest to speak up for truth and, consequently, for herself. […] Sensitive, funny, and tender.” — Kirkus, starred review
Connections
Named a Best Middle-Grade Book of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews
2021 Outstanding International Books List
Other books by Bridget Krone include: The Cedarville Shop and the Wheelbarrow Swap, I Can Dress Myself, and Great African Sports.
Fox, M. (1988). Koala Lou. Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0152005023.
Lofts, Pamela. 1988. Koala Lou by Mem Fox. Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0152005023.
Plot Summary
Koala Lou is feeling left out when her mother is paying more attention to her younger brothers and sisters. She misses her mother always telling her “Koala Lou, I DO love you”. One day she decides to enter the bush olympics to show her mother how special she is. Koala Lou gets an unexpected result from the race but learns how much her mother truly loves her no matter what.
Analysis
This heartwarming story tells of a mother’s love for her child. The illustrator uses colored pencil drawings to show the beauty and vibrancy of the bush in Australia. Many species of animals native to Australia are depicted in the precise and well drawn illustrations. Other than the setting and the characters being native to Australia, the culture is not necessarily depicted in this story. However, the theme of love and family bonds is universal and makes for a welcome addition to any library.
Reviews
“As a baby, cuddly Koala Lou is everyone's favorite, especially her mother's; but as more little koalas join the family, her mother forgets to say, ""Koala Lou, I DO love you!"" So--hoping for attention--Koala Lou trains mightily for the Bush Olympics, only to come in second. Surprisingly, this disappointment makes her wish come true; her mother is there to comfort her with the treasured words and a big hug. 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. Another winning import from one of Australia's favorite authors.” Kirkus Reviews
Connections
Other books by Mem Fox include: Cat Dog, The Tiny Star, and Tell Me About Your Day Today.
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