Affirming Your Identity!

Save Me A Seat 

By Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan 

Publisher and date: Scholastic Press,  2016

This book is about two students who both happen to be starting the first week in the same fifth grade class in New Jersey. The book is told through the perspectives of both Joe and Ravi. Ravi has just recently immigrated from India to the United States, whereas Joe has lived in New Jersey his entire life. Ravi doesnt think he will have any issues adjusting since he was top of his class back in India. Joe doesn’t enjoy school as much as Ravi does and he struggles to participate and pay attention in school due to his auditory processing disorder (APD). The other problem is the school bully! At first, Ravi thinks that the bully is trying to befriend him but eventually realizes that he is not someone that Ravi wants to have as a friend . Throughout all of their differences physically & culturally, Joe and Ravi are able to surpass their differences, team up against the bully & become friends.  

I really enjoyed reading this novel. There are so many themes that are related to middle school social life. This is relatable to students as well as a great representation of friendship, diversity in schools, and acceptance of those diversities. I loved reading about the growing friendship even though the two boys were so different and originally thought they could never be friends, they eventually realize that they are living through similar experiences and turn out to be just what one another needed. I also loved the way the text was written, it was very interesting to see the views of the same experiences through both lenses of Ravi and Joe. One other factor I loved was that just like there were alternating chapters for both Joe and Ravi, there were also 2  glossaries with accurate terminology of their cultures (Indian and American) and lives. 

Classroom applications:

Students can determine the similarities and differences between the views on Ravi and Joe and their experiences of school. This could also be a great character study book as we get to know the main characters very well throughout the book. 

This could be a great book for the beginning of the year. We can learn to understand what others may be going through and develop empathy for others. Throughout this book there are many parts in which this can apply. Some of these can be: seeing the difficulties of someone coming to a new school, friendships with others and how it’s not always easy, dealing with the bully, not being able to perform as well in school as others. This is also a good window book for many students. (new students at school, students who may have immigrated from another country, students who may have had similar difficulties in school such as APD or any other learning struggles, etc.) It can also be helpful to them to realize its okay to have feelings and express themselves. 

This book is also great for teaching students not to judge someone based upon first impressions or “to not judge a book by its cover.” When we do that, we often see later on that this was not an accurate representation of who the person is.  

Since a common theme of this book is the food of different cultures, it would be awesome to try some of the recipes the book provides or even have a food celebration of the characters in the book or cultures represented in the classroom. 

I am Perfectly Designed

By Karamo Brown with Jason “Rachel” Brown

Illustrated by Anoosha Syed

Publisher and date: Henry Holt and Company, 2019

This book is about an African American father and son duo who have an inseparable bond. The father relays the message that his son is “perfectly designed.” And throughout his life reminds him that. I thought that this book was very powerful with such a simple message. Students need to be reminded that they themselves are ALL perfectly designed. This book also shows to value your family members and how important it is to love yourself exactly as you are.  Throughout this book there is also representation of all races and different types of  families doing what they love to do. This is a beautiful depiction of a diverse neighborhood and society.

Classroom Applications:

I am Jazz 

By Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings 

Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas 

Publisher and date: Penguin Group, 2014

This is a story about a transgender child who was born a boy but realized that she wanted to be a girl. In their words, Jazz knew she had a girls brain in a boys body. This is a true story of a girl and the process she went through to transition to her true self. 

I feel that in a society like today’s it is important for everyone to have a mirror book that they can see someone like themselves in a positive light. This book shows a young transgender girl going through the tough process of finding herself. What I enjoyed about this book is that it is shown in a very positive light and shows the feelings of the main character as well as the feelings of the people around her. I think that it is so important for students who may know someone going through this process or see themselves in this process and notice that it is okay to express who they are and accept others for who they identify also. 

Classroom Applications:

Provide this book on our shelves or as a read aloud for students who need it as a mirror book or a window book. 

Use this book as a way to teach acceptance of those around us no matter what their identity may be. Help others to understand about transgender individuals and we all have a common humanity and it is up to us to accept anyone for who they are. 

Riding Freedom 

By Pam Munos Ryan 

Drawings By Brian Selznick

Publisher and date: Scholastic, 1998

This novel is a historical fiction one about a girl, Charlotte, who is an orphan at an all boys orphanage. She doesn’t mind because she isn’t interested in the typical things that girls usually like. Later in the story she is banned from working in the stable or riding horses, which is one of her most favorite things to do, because it is a boys job.  She had a dream of working in the stables and one day owning her own ranch. She decides the only way she will get what she wants is to dress up like a boy and that way the things she loves cannot be taken from her. She runs away and lives her life undercover as a boy. Throughout her journey she was in an accident with the horses where she lost sight in her eye. She was then not able to drive, but she practiced and practiced until she knew the road better than anyone else with two functioning eyes did. The story is about never giving up and having the courage to do so no matter what the costs.

As I was reading this, I imagined that a book such as this one would have her eventually reveal who she really is. To my surprise, the book ends with her still portraying a male. This story is based upon the real life story of Charlotte Packhurst, with her male name Charley. She also died without ever being revealed her true identity. After I finished reading this book I considered picking another book to go along with my identity theme but then I realized there is a lot that we can teach students through this book.  I found that reading this even though it isnt a clear and direct “be yourself” book,  it gives us inspiration to teach children that you should go for whatever dreams you have by embracing who you are on the inside.

Classroom Applications:

We can educate students about stereotypes and gender norms of the past and how the differ from the present. Also we can teach them that we should not let these stereotypes and gender norms define who we are. 

We can have students write their own alternate ending to Riding Freedom and allow Charley to be seen as who she really is and embrace her identity as a female. Her story teaches us to go for our dreams no matter how far they may seem from reality. 

I Wish I were a Butterfly

By James Howe

Illustrated by Ed Young

Publisher and date: Voyager books, 1987

This book is about a cricket who thinks crickets are the ugliest thing in the world because a frog told him so. Throughout the book the cricket encounters other insects and bugs and they all express why being a cricket is important from their point of view. Later on the cricket realizes that the reason he is a cricket is to make beautiful music. A little later after this a butterfly flies by and says that he wishes he was able to make beautiful music like the cricket. 

I was intrigued while reading this story. The text is mostly in dialogue of the crickets and other insects. James Howe does an awesome job at relaying the message that we should be proud of who we are and embrace what our purpose is. Even though the author depicts these traits through insects and bugs the same themes and message is made. 

Classroom Applications

I think this would be a great book to teach point of view. By using the thoughts of the cricket and the butterfly, compare and contrast of feelings and thoughts would help students to understand the views the characters have. 

Students can also learn about how our differences are what make us unique. Discuss the differences that the characters in the story had then come up with one reason you are unique from everyone else. 

Characterization. James Howe gives the insects and bugs human characteristics. This is a good skill for the students to have when writing their own journals and writing pieces. 

It’s Okay to Be Different

By Todd Parr

Publisher and date: Little, Brown and Company Hachette Book Group, 2001

Todd Parr has such a unique way of writing to convey a message to children, especially the younger ones. This book is bright, colorful and silly but sends the message to accept who you are and know that “its okay to be different.” He mentions physical differences, abilities, feelings, families and even silly things. This book assures the reader that it is okay to be different. 

Within what we have been learning about this semester, we need to teach our children to understand that we have to have empathy for others. Just because we are not just like everyone else we can still be there for them and understand them for who they are. Todd Parr uses easy to understand language and eye-catching colorful illustrations to make his point. 

Classroom applications

Todd Parr’s books are geared toward younger kids to help them with emotional development. It also is a great support for the growth of children’s self acceptance and identity. 

The Sandwich Swap

By Her Majesty Queen Raina Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrations by Tricia Tusa 

Publisher and date: Hyperion Books, 2010

Two friends Lily and Salma are best friends. They do everything together and like the same things, but one thing that is very different about them is their lunches that they bring every day. Salma always brings a hummus sandwich and Lily always brings a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They both think the others lunch looks terrible and somehow their views are shared with each other. Their friendship is tested and because of their small fight over food it caused a huge food fight in the cafeteria. Turns out that it was better when they were friends and they then tried each others sandwich and actually enjoyed it. 

I think that this story was a very relatable story for children. As a child, it may easy to see someone else's food and just because it’s different say that it looks gross or that you like your food better. Children can learn to respect others differences, and maybe even try new things, we might start to like it. At first I didn’t think that this would be an identity book. But as you look closely, where you are from is a huge part of who you are and culture is something we all identify with. The food that we eat is representative of that culture and just like with cultures we need to learn about and respect other people’s cultures and maybe even share about our own. 

Classroom Applications

Students can learn a lot about friendship and forgiveness from this book. 

Another thing that can come from this book is a cultural day. Maybe we can use the book as an inspiration for the students to bring in their favorite dish from their home culture. This will teach them about other cultures but also teach them how to respect and learn about others as well. 

One additional thing we can teach our students from this book is story structure. Teaching the parts of a story, beginning, middle, end. This story does an interesting thing by starting the story out with a partial thought (“...and it ended with a hummus sandwich.”) and then the story ending with that same thought as well. We can teach students to use this to spice up their writing.

Families, Families, Families!

By Suzanne Lang 

Illustrated By Max Lang 

Publisher and date: Random House Children’s Books, 2015

     Families, Families, Families! is a vivid and colorful picture book. It is all about different types of families. It shows many combinations of what a family may be and shows that they still are a family no matter what they look like from the outside.

    The first thing that struck me while reading the differences between the image backgrounds and the style of the animals. The animals were all kinds but they were in the form of silly cartoons while the backgrounds looked like real images or house settings. To me this would be a book that any child would want to pick up to read. It mentions  single parent families, families with two dads or two moms, families with step parents or step siblings, and even adopted siblings. There are many other scenarios in this book but the most important part is that if you love each other you are a family. I think it is important that children are exposed to the idea that not every family looks the same. Families come in many different shapes and sizes and no matter who makes up that family, they are the people that will always be there for you. One connection I made was that your family and the culture you grow up in is part of your identity. 

Classroom Applications:

     Students can use this book as inspiration to draw a picture of their own family. They can label each person and tell the class what their family looks like. This may also inspire students to want to tell a story about a fun time they spent with their family. To build on this we can ask students what they notice about the different types of families and emphasize the many reasons of even though families look different there are many things about them that are the same. 

Pink is for Boys

By Robb Pearlman 

Illustrations by Eda Kaban 

Publisher and date: Running Press Kids, 2018

This book is about all of the different colors of the rainbow and how BOTH girls and boys can enjoy every color, not just the typical “boy” or “girl” colors. 

Pink is for Boys has such a strong message. We need to break down those gender stereotypes. We need to teach our students and children that they can like any color they would like, or they can do anything they want. There should be  no restrictions just because of their gender. This book is very colorful and gives all of the colors and something that the colors can represent neutrally (yellow-crowns, blue-uniforms, purple-unicorns orange-ice pops) while also relaying that message that children can like any color. The illustrations also take the gender norms and throw them to the side. This is such a positive message because children should be allowed to like whatever colors they like and participate in any activities they want. Throughout this book the illustrations show both boys and girls, playing dress up, being on a baseball team and doing just about anything they want. Another factor in this book that I enjoyed was that the children throughout the book represent diversity in a positive light.

Classroom Applications:

We can use this book in the classroom as a read aloud to show the students that they can like any color because all colors are for everyone. Also to go beyond the colors and teach that gender norms should not stop them from doing what they enjoy or like.

Skin Again 

By Bell Hooks

Illustrations by Chris Raschka

Publisher and date: Disney Book Group, 2004 

Skin Again is a picture book about how we all have different skin colors but that does not define who we are. We all have stories that are told from the inside. Our skin is part of our identity but we are all one in humanity and we can stand together if we open up to others and share our story.  

This book instantly caught my attention. The author and illustrator collaborate seamlessly with abstract paintings of children of all races and their stories. The text in this book is so powerful. It says “The skin I’m in... is just a covering. It cannot tell my story.” I think this message is such a powerful one because it emphasizes that everyone has their own story and you cannot tell what someone’s story entails unless you listen to the stories they have to tell from the inside, and from their own experiences in life. Another great part of this book is that it mentions that the skin that you are in is a part of your identity, it is part of who you are and what makes you, you. To build upon that thought, it is not the only thing that defines you and I think that this simple book dives deep into identity and stories that can be understood from children at a very young age. Something this powerful is worth sharing with students and others. 

Classroom applications:

The students can make illustrations of themselves using abstract art like Chris Raschka does. They can include their friends in the picture or maybe even make a collage of things that represent their story. 

This would also be a great read aloud to students of any age. The exposure to this message is something that they can all benefit from. 

Students can journal about stories that make them who they are, some that are true, some that are fun/ fantasy using their imagination and how they see themselves. 

The Day you Begin

By Jaqueline Woodson

Illustrations by Rafael Lopez 

Publisher and date:Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018 

This book is about acceptance in the classroom. It shows several students, one being a young girl, that are nervous to be themselves in front of their peers. Until, she realizes that the best thing to do is be herself and she will fit in just fine. The classroom is one of the first places where students will meet others that may be different than they are. This book is great to show students that even if sometimes they feel left out they need to embrace who they are and their unique qualities that’s part of what makes them special. 

Woodson uses beautiful and intentional language in order to create a story in which we see that our differences are beautiful. In addition to this Lopez uses many bright and colorful watercolor spreads to represent what it feels to be brave and stand tall. Both the illustrator and author use meaningful words and positioning of characters in the illustrations to depict the strong theme of belonging and wanting to fit in. The characters are very relatable to students and the message of having something that is unique and special about you is vital for students. 

Classroom Applications: 

This is a great story to have students study the illustrations and why they think the illustrator chose to do them in this way. 

Have students reread the story, see if they can personally relate to any of the parts of the story to themselves.

Character study: Look at the pictures and see if there is a change in emotion throughout a specific character in the book.

My Diary from Here to There/ Mi diario de aqui hasta alla 

By Amada Irma Perez 

Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonazalez

Publisher and date: Children’s Book Press, 2002 

My Diary from Here to There/ Mi diario de aqui hasta alla is a bilingual text about a girl, Amada, who hears her parents saying that they are going to move to Los Angeles for a better life. They will be immigrating from Mexico and there are many things that she is worried, scared, happy and even excited about. She writes daily entries in her diary about her experiences, feelings and day to day progress on their journey. She learns to believe in herself and her family while also embracing the love and support she has from and with them. 

One of the lines in the story were wise words from her grandmother, “Never forget who you are and where you are from. Keep your language and culture alive in your diary and in your heart.” I think this is such a key point for accepting who you are and embracing your identity. One’s culture, language and where you come from are key components of what makes up one’s identity. By seeing Amada a strong young girl in tune with her feelings and emotions, students who come from different countries may see her as a role model that even though we may have obstacles in our lives there is always a way through it. I loved the realistic and strong themes of family in the text and illustrations of this book. Perez and Gonzalez do a great job at sharing an authentic story of immigration to the United States. This is an example of the type of authenticity that need to be shared among our students.

Classroom Applications:

Introducing diary/journal writing as a way for students to  express themselves. It is important for students to be able to express their feelings whether someone is reading them or not. 

This is a great example of a book that can be used in a study of immigration. It can be paired with other authentic stories of young children and families immigrating.

This is a great window book to have on our bookshelves.

Red 

By Micheal Hall 

Greenwillow Books, 2001

This book is about a crayon who is labeled Red. Everyone notices that something is not right about this crayon. All that the crayon can color is blue. She tries to color many things that are red and can’t quite seem to get it right. Eventually another crayon friend asked if Red could try coloring in the ocean and so she tried. It came out beautifully. After that Red was able to see who she really was, Blue.

Although this book is seemingly just about crayons it symbolizes so many more deeper and tougher topics. Red can be used among all different ages and grades to bring to the table heavy topics such as identity, acceptance of others, equality, and even gender norms. All of these topics are so relevant in today’s society and through this book we are able to learn so much about those around us. I noticed that the illustrations are eye catching and colorful, very fitting for a book about crayons, but also so meaningful for any age of students. Identity is something that students growing up may struggle with. This book can be a way to help kids understand that everyone is not the same on the inside and we may need to work hard and go against norms to find out fitting self. 

Classroom Applications

Teach students not to judge someone from the outside and accept people for who they are. 

Use as a model to treat everyone fairly and justly. 

I Love My Hair! 

By Natasha Anastasia Tarpley 

Illustrations By E.B. Lewis 

Publisher and date: Little, Brown Books for Young People, 2001

A young African American girl named Keyana struggles to like her hair. She expresses her feelings with her mother and she gives her reasons to love her hair because it is a part of what makes her, her. 

The author uses beautiful language to show how amazingly unique this young girl is, even though this book is about something that Keyana is initially unsure if she loves, her hair. The author’s note inside the cover solidified the genuine knowledge she has about African American hair and how important any girls hair is to who they are. This book shows self acceptance and empowerment. Tarpley provided a book that any young girl can see themselves in and learn to love every little difference about themselves no matter what their race may be. In addition to this, the illustrations were seemingly authentic and eye catching. The message is clearly conveyed and accessible to any young child.  

Classroom applications

Teach children to love themselves and be happy in the skin that their in: all aspects of what makes them unique whether it be our hair or any other aspect of identity.

Personal narrative- Children can use this an example of writing a personal narrative and focusing on a small topic with many details. 

The Name Jar 

By Yangsook Choi 

Publisher and date: Dragonfly Books, NY (2001)

This book is about a girl named Un-Hei. She has just moved to the United States from Korea. When she gets to school everyone is asking what her name is. She doesn’t know what to tell them because she is embarrassed that her name is not like everyone else’s. The students come up with many American names that she can have if she wants them and they all put them into a jar. She must choose whether she wants to embrace her own unique name connected to her cultural background or pick a new American one. What will she choose? 

I love this book and it has such a great message. There are also several themes that students can easily relate to such as friendship, social interactions and cultural identity. It becomes a mirror book for any student who knows that new-school feeling and shows a similar situation to any students who have ever had a new student in their class. The authors intentional language choice makes it easy for students to feel like they are a part of Un-hei’s new classroom. Most importantly it shows a positive outlook on a young girl finding and embracing her identity through her name and Korean background.

Classroom applications

Character Study - Look closely at changes of a character throughout the book

Teaching point of view-This book shows third person narrative, if it was shown from a different perspective what details would change.

Text to self connections - There are many parts of this story that are relatable to students some being: starting at a new school, having a name that isn’t like everyone else’s, immigrating to another country