Hoai's Book Island

  About Book Title: Ruby's Wish Author: Shirin Yim Bridges Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Genre:  Historical Fiction  Major Book Awards: No major book awards  Recommended Age Range: 4-8  Appropriate Grade Levels: Kinder to 4th grade Summary This book written by Shirin Bridges is based on a true story, inspired by her grandmother named Ruby. The story starts off by taking place in old China, a very long time ago. A little girl named Ruby came from a big family, because her wealthy grandfather had many wives and his wives had many children, and therefore he had lots of grandchildren. Because Ruby and her cousins came from such a huge family, they were able to be educated at home with a teacher. This was unusual, since girls at the time were never taught to read or write. On top of learning in school, the girls had to learn how to cook and keep house as well. Because they had so much to do, many of them decided to stop coming to class, but that wasn't the case for Ru...

  About Book Title: Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led her People to Freedom  Author: Carol Boston Weatherford Illustrator: Kadir Nelson Genre: Historical Fiction Major Book Awards: 2007 Caldecott Medal, 2007 Coretta Scott King for Illustrators, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work Recommended Age Range: 5 to 9  Appropriate Grade Levels: 1st to 4th grade  Summary In this picture book, Weatherford tells the story of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and how she makes it a mission to lead others to freedom as well. After hearing that her master would sell her South, Harriet talks to God and has made up her mind to escape. Leaving her family and old life behind, Harriet takes nothing but herself and her faith in God during her journey. She is led by God along the way and continuously relies on Him when she feels down, scared, and afraid. And God reminds her that she can do it. Harriet finally made it to free soil in the land of Philadelphia, but misses her fam...

  About Book Title: The Thanksgiving Story Author: Alice Dalgliesh Illustrator: Helen Sewell Genre: Historical Fiction Major Book Awards: 1955 Caldecott Honor Medal Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8 Appropriate Grade Levels: 1st to 3rd Grade Summary This picture book written by Alice Dalgliesh tells the story of the Hopkins family and their 3 kids boarding the overpacked Mayflower ship going from England to America in order to start a new life. As they are on board, Giles, Constance, and Damaris' baby brother Oceanus was born and things became a little more hectic. Once they've arrived, the Pilgrims all faced hunger, the cold weather, and sickness. The Native Americans saw this and offered to help. With their help, the Pilgrims were able to survive their first year in North America. And together the Pilgrims and Native Americans celebrated the first Thanksgiving.  Evaluation - Would I incorporate this book in the classroom? This book was a pretty interesting read. Although it...

  About Book Title: If I Were a Kid During the Civil Rights Movement  Author: Gwendolyn Hooks Illustrator: Kelly Kennedy Genre: Historical Fiction Major Book Awards: No major book awards Recommended Age Range: 6 to 9  Appropriate Grade Levels: 1st to 3rd Grade Summary This book follows a girl named Connie Underwood and her new friend Mark who finds themselves in a civil rights demonstration. It all started when Connie approached Mark for help in trying to figure out what her twin brothers were up to. One night she overheard her brothers talking about a civil rights demonstration downtown and she asks Mark to come with her. As the two head downtown, they saw a group of African-American teenagers marching in rows protesting "Separate is not equal!" As they try to squeeze through the crowd to find her brothers, someone yelled "Police!" Connie was aware how violent the police can be with demonstrators, so she grabbed Mark and they both ran home to her house. Sh...

  About Book Title: Henry's Freedom Box Author: Ellen Levine Illustrator: Kadir Nelson  Genre: Historical Fiction Major Book Awards: 2008 Caldecott Medal  Recommended Age Range: 7 to 12 Appropriate Grade Levels: 1st to 7th Grade Summary This book written by Ellen Levine talks about Henry "Box" Brown, a man who ships himself to freedom in Philadelphia. Henry had grew up into slavery for the majority of his life. He was still working as a slave when he got married to Nancy and had children with her. One day his wife and children were sold in the slave market, something he has been worried about. Finding out his family was gone, he knew that he would never see them again. As time went by, Henry knew that he had to escape and went to Dr. Smith for help. Henry then got inside a box and was shipped successfully to a place with freedom, where there were no slaves. He arrived safely in Philadelphia.  Evaluation - Would I Incorporate this book in the classroom ? This book was...

  About Book Title:  The War That Saved My Life Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley  Genre: Historical Fiction  Major Book Award: 2016   Newbery Medal, 2018 Golden Kite Award for Middle Grade Fiction Recommended Age Range: 9 to 12 Appropriate Grade Levels: 5th to 8th grade Summary This book written by Kimberly Bradley talks about the life of Ada and Jamie Smith during WW2 between Germany and Europe. They lived in an abusive home with their mother, so they took this chance to evacuate London for safety from the war and their mother. Once they've arrived to Kent, a woman named Susan Smith were forced to take them in. She never wanted them, or kids in general. But she did things far more than their "mother" back in London ever had. Throughout the story Ada, Jamie, and Susan created a special bond, like a real family. The three were soon then separated after a year together, because their mother forcefully took them back, due to financial issues. Susan realized t...