A clever book we read in class. ( )

The Upside Down Boy perfectly describes how anyone feels when they are introduced to something new without having any background information on it before. We all feel overwhelmed and like our entire world has been flipped upside down. When this little boy moves to a new big city after little in a small town, this is exactly how he feels. I related to this book when I first started college. I felt so overwhelmed before I caught on and felt like I was spinning and going crazy trying to figure everything out. ( )

This would be a good story to have in the classroom if it were a diverse school with a lot of Spanish speakers. It is written in both English and Spanish. It could relate to ELL students if they had experienced coming to the United States and attending an American school and not knowing any English. ( )

It is a story of Juan Felipe Herrera memoir of a year where his family had to settle down so he was able to go to school for the first time. He feels out of place as if he is doing everything backwards. So constantly misses being in the fields free feeling the fresh air. This a good book to read to students that are new to the class or are moving from a new country, that a successful author also have gone through the same process of moving to a new place is different and difficult. ( )

Elizabeth Gomez, gorgeous illustrator with vibrant colors attracts the reader to the stories connecting children with characters who are like them. Gomez, is interested in concepts of environmental hierarchy both in the wild and in our human reality as well as illustrating for "seemingly innocent stories where there is always a hint of stress". The Jane Addams Children's Book Awards "are given annually to the children's books published the preceding year that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races..." how beautiful is that! This is the diversity we need in literature. It core reason for choosing books is based on peace and equality. The Coretta Scott King Book Awards were books I discovered when working in "the hood" of San Francisco. Amazing books that my students were able to connect with and I was able to learn about their culture and community. Eye opening and the opportunity for me as a "white girl" to connect with my students. ( )