Bernard Ashley

In 1912, Lizzie Parsons is a scholarship girl at a prestigious south London girls' high school. Her teachers are encouraging her to enter a poetry competition on something she feels strongly about - and one of them has given her a copy of the suffragette newspaper Votes for Women to read. Her parents are very proud of their clever daughter. However, at home, Lizzie is worried that mum and dad are not only arguing - her father is hurting mum. Lizzie wonders if she can talk to one of her show more favourite teachers about it, but what could school do?

This is a story about a young girl learning that politics is not just about Parliament or about the men there, and getting caught up in a campaign for the vote. She is also connecting the struggles outside the home with what is going on inside. How can she help the women in her life - her teacher, her mother? How can they help her?

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This is a great book for kids who feel like they are not good at anything compared to those around them. In the story, the child starts to get discouraged until one day he does something that no one else can do. Children will learn that they have their own special talent so they should not feel bad when others can do things better than they can.

Ages 3-6
Pierce College Library

This book is about a little boy named Ling Sung who cannot do things the other kids can such as; tying shoes, buttoning sweaters, writting his name, or tying his apron. It makes him upset so he decides he does not want to go to school. The next day in class he finds two paint brushes, and uses them as chopsticks. This is something no one else can do so he feels specail. I have had days were I felt like Ling Sung. Everyone has got it together, and I do not. It makes me frustrated to see show more everyone get praised, and not me, even though I make every effort. Then I have those days were I got it down, and everyone is focused on what I can do. It is selfish, but it give me the confidence I was looking for. After reading this book I would hold a talent show in class so everyone could be praised for thier specail talents. We would also talk about chopsticks, and chiense culture. Then we would use chop sticks, and make a craft to represent the chiense culture. show less

Cleversticks is about a boy named Ling Sung that struggles to fit in with his classroom peers. This book is excellent for students having trouble fitting in or adjusting, or come from a different cultural background. We see Ling Sung use what he knows and makes best use of it by turning his paint brushes around and eating his cookie as if they were chopsticks. The class and teacher are amazed, making Ling Sung feel as if he is apart of the classroom dynamic and culture. Every race and show more culture is included in this book, and can be related to everyone; not just minority students. The illustrations show children of all sizes, shapes, ability, and colors. show less