Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit

Quotations from Barack Obama illustrated with simple sketches by Kadir Nelson.

A contemporary book for the upper elementary grades, students will be inspired by President O'bama's words and Kadir Nelson's drawings. An inspirational book for all students. A great way to teach a lesson on the possibilities our world offers. ( )

Summary: This book is about change, about a UNITED America. It starts off with the long linesof people waiting to vote and goes on to talk about how there isn't a different America for each race instead there is a UNITED America.
Personal Reflection: This book grabbed my attention b/c of the font and pictures. There is no color used but yet you can see color in some of the pictures because of the font and the illustration style. It is short but too the point.
Extentions:
1) Read this allowed and have your 5th graders get into groups and discuss what they know about past and current voting laws. Homework: Have the student ask there parets about past and current voting laws and write a summary.
2) Journal: What does the book mean when it says "There's not a black America, and white America, and Latino America, and Asian America? Explain you answer. How does this affect your life today?

Summary: Change has Come includes quotes from five different speeches throughout Obama’s campaign. As Nelson and the nation marveled over Obama’s success and his ability to move people, Kadir created spontaneous illustrations by that represent the pictures taken of and around Obama’s campaign and speeches.
Teaching Implications: This book can be used to teach students about Obama and presidential campaigns. The illustrations show pictures of Obama speaking, people voting, people surrounding the Lincoln Memorial, campaign posters, the inaugural parade, celebration at the inaugural speech, the white house, and the first family. The illustrations in this book show emotions and portray the feelings of the crowd in such a way that you feel that you are there with them chanting and listening to Obama’s words. This book could be used to show a model of what presidential elections entail and serve as a model for the emotions and feelings of the nation as we move forward into the next election. ( )

Obama's words and Kadir Nelson's illustrations = absolute JOY.