Mister picked this out to read and now I'm craving ramen. Fun fact: ramen noodles should be soft and springy, just like your earlobe, according to thiMister picked this out to read and now I'm craving ramen. Fun fact: ramen noodles should be soft and springy, just like your earlobe, according to this book. We loved that this said that this is for everyone because you can't argue with taste. Hiro learns how to make ramen from his dad who learned from his dad. If you want to try, there is a recipe for easy miso ramen at the back of the book as well as kitchen rules and some fun facts....more
I look forward to using this in a program and reading about how we all can make a difference. There were a few quotes that I really loved: "Artivism hI look forward to using this in a program and reading about how we all can make a difference. There were a few quotes that I really loved: "Artivism has the power to spark the compassion and empathy of the whole world. And the Artivist can light that flame."
"The Artivist doesn't only paint. She sings. He writes. They film. We repurpose. We build. bring awareness to what can be changed for the better so that everyone can take action."
According to the note in the back of the book, this is Smith's own story which made the book feel even more powerful and necessary for helping our world....more
This is the house that Jack built are not my favorite type of books; I understand that they have a place with the value of repetition in learning howeThis is the house that Jack built are not my favorite type of books; I understand that they have a place with the value of repetition in learning however they drive me a bit bonkers....more
Read this with my son and was grateful for how it gave us a chance to talk together about so many things. What do you do when you see someone being buRead this with my son and was grateful for how it gave us a chance to talk together about so many things. What do you do when you see someone being bullied? How can you help? What if you are scared? What do you do if you are the one being bullied? What do you do if someone new comes to your classroom? What if someone looks different than you or acts differently than you? What does it mean to be a friend? He really loved the pictures and we took a long time looking through the book and pulling different details out. So thankful for books like this....more
My confusion over the topic of djinn/djinni may influence the review of this book a bit. From what little I know, I always thought that djinn were conMy confusion over the topic of djinn/djinni may influence the review of this book a bit. From what little I know, I always thought that djinn were considered magical, could shape-shift, and were generally thought of as tricky, if not downright to be regarded as someone who could possess you or one who is possibly evil (danger! danger!). However, in our story, Nayra jumps into a contract with a Djinn who is portrayed as a helper-friend who tries to give good advice throughout the book. (view spoiler)[The family does respond to the djinn and rebukes them and tells them to "get back evil one" soooo...evil or not? Hence my confusion. (hide spoiler)]
Nayra is bullied non-stop at school because of her Muslim identity (the book takes place during Ramadan and Eid) and her family is not supportive of Nayra's troubles. Nayra is desperate and I was quite concerned about the bullying that she was going through. Not one adult really seemed to be truly supportive or offered effective solutions to the bullying. In return, Nayra displays all sorts of red flags to her community. Then the djinn showed up.
The storyline was facile at times and didn't follow through, especially at the end, where several quick solutions and saves felt like real letdowns. The art is lovely though not consistent. This book was all over the place and confusing at times as the storyline went back and forth.
Heads-up: bullying, lying, sneaking out, forgery, ditching friends, doing wrong things for right reasons (discuss) Good things: friends not giving up on friends; family sticking together; helping others; forgiveness modeled; listening...more
Enjoy listening to the mix tape while you read about Santat's middle school class trip travels through Europe. They see famous sights, meet locals, anEnjoy listening to the mix tape while you read about Santat's middle school class trip travels through Europe. They see famous sights, meet locals, and try new things both good and questionable at times (remember that this was a different time and place). Reading Santat's memoir is hilarious and heartening and brings the joy of travel and discovering how to be your best self.
Heads up: smoking, underage drinking, stealing, bullying, partying, and other shenanigans
Positives: people stand up to bullies, people try new things, people try to be their best/authentic selves, having talent is shown to be a positive, people help others...more
I haven't read the book on which this is based though I snatched up the graphic novel when I saw that they had chosen the chapter book for the Battle I haven't read the book on which this is based though I snatched up the graphic novel when I saw that they had chosen the chapter book for the Battle of the Books. "This will be great," I thought. I was wrong. If you don't have at least a passing knowledge of African-American folklore, you might be terribly lost. Thankfully, I have a passing understanding of the importance of the characters; I was still lost as the plot twitched around and the characters appeared and disappeared with no background or meaning given.
This was a book that I wanted to recommend and enjoy but I gave up halfway through. Please read for yourself....more
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