Picture Book Resources
Yard Sale by Eve Bunting, ill by Lauren Castillo
Callie's family is moving. She's not entirely sure why but she thinks it has something to do with money. They're selling off most of their things in a yard sale because they won't fit in the new apartment. Callie doesn't like watching her things go. But one little comment makes her realize she still has the most important thing, her family, and that's all she really needs.
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Understanding Downsizing/Tight Finances: This could be a helpful book for families going through tough times, and it’d be great for friends of those families too.
- Heart Check & Materialism: Regardless of your finances, this is a good book for kids with touches of materialism (or adults for that matter) to remind them what is really, truly important.
- Contemporary Fiction: If you’re looking for a well-illustrated, tender contemporary read, this fits that bill too.
On Market Street by Matt de la Pena, ill. by Christian Robinson
Every Sunday after church CJ and his nanna board the bus to go help out at the soup kitchen. Along the way CJ complains about taking the bus and going to the kitchen, but encounters with some people - and the wisdom of his grandmother - help him change his mind and be grateful for the small blessings.
If you haven’t heard of this book, welcome back from your year of doing research in Antarctica or living off the grid. I know it has been in news a lot since it swept up tons of awards in 2016, including a surprising Newbery win for a picture book. Consider this just a reminder that it is a good book in this category.
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Gratitude: There's a lot in this story, but one of the points is being thankful for the senses you have and other things you take for granted.
- Get Your Super Vision: You don’t need to be a super hero to have super vision, you just need to pause and be alert enough to see beauty where others don't. It’s a skill the protagonist in this learns.
- Joys of Helping: CJ also learns about the joys of helping others and doing so with dignity.
- Feel Good Story Fans: Overall, this is a heartfelt story with relatively simple illustrations that say just enough.
Middle Grade Fiction
Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart
Ever since his dad died last October, Ben and his mom have been doing their best to fulfill Dad's Grand Plan. His mom is really close to taking her final test to be certified as an accountant, but in the meantime it has been tough making ends meet. It's the little things that start to get to Ben, like only being able to afford the super cheap toilet paper. He's doing his best to help. He enters all the sweepstakes he can, hoping to help fulfill his promise to his dad to help his mom make ends meet. And as if life weren't crazy enough, his Grandpa Jake shows up to stay with them since his memory's starting to go and he can't be on his own any more. When the landlord just can't give them any more breaks, it looks like they may lose their apartment if Ben can't come up with a way to make the extra money until his mom can pass her certification test.
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Serious/Might-Make-You-Cry Contemporary Story Fans: Every once in a while I get a student asking for a book that will make them cry. This would be on my list of recommendations for them. I actually have to warn kids who think the cover looks funny that this is a whole lot more serious than the cover suggests. Gephart does try to lighten grief and money problems with toilet paper cravings and toilet paper facts strewn throughout the book. It still deals with some very real life issues, though and many readers may need some tissue (or nice toilet paper) on hand for tears every once in a while. Eventually, there's a heartwarming ending in store, though it might not be brought about quite the way some readers expect.
- Understanding Tight Finances: A good read for kids to understand what someone going through tight money times might be feeling.
- Understanding Grief: Ben provides one example of how grief can be expressed. His mom provides another. And both of them are starting to grieve over Grandpa Jake’s memory loss too. There are many faces to grief, and this may help readers better understand those grieving.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Jackson is a science-minded boy who likes facts, good solid facts. So he is a little upset when his imaginary friend from when he was seven shows up uninvited. Crenshaw is a cat. A rather large cat, who wears a baseball cap, likes to take bubble baths, does hand stands, and talks. And only Jackson can see him (with the possible exception of Jackson's real life dog Aretha). Jackson tells Crenshaw to go away, but Crenshaw says he's here for a reason. Jackson is afraid of what that reason might be. Last time Crenshaw hung around was after his Dad got sick and both his parents lost their jobs. They had to live in their car for a while, which was not fun. Though they've been back in an apartment for a long time now, Jackson has noticed the signs that money is really tight again. Just how bad has it gotten? And is he going crazy seeing a great big talking cat all the time?
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Sweet and Fun Story Fans: This is an absolutely adorable story! Applegate brings tight money times and the plight of homeless families to life in a way that is authentic, honoring, and sweet but not the wrench your heart out and leave it a sobbing mess on the floor kind. Crenshaw brings just the right touches of lightness and humor and hope to a story that could be really, really sad and hard to read, but it isn't. Applegate was able to maneuver a fine line and come up with just the right mix, like a perfectly flavored sweet and sour sauce.
- Goofy/Likable Character Fans: I adored Crenshaw, his goofiness mixed with definite cat attitudes, but also moments of insight. Jackson is a likable character too. He is a kid who really wants to help his family but often feels like his hands are tied and that frustrates him. He craves honesty, but at the same time is a tiny bit scared of it too. He reads like a very real kid.
- Tight Finances/Homelessness: Jackson helps kids understand those who live in poverty and know what homelessness is like. He also provides a relatable character for homeless kids. (Applegate had some homeless kids help her with the book before it was published. See her note in the book about this.)
- Psychology: Pysch classes may want to pick apart why they believe Jackson sees Crenshaw at this traumatic time in his life. Others will want to ignore the psychologists and just enjoy the story.
- Literary Allusion: There’s an allusion to the play Harvey at the beginning. I can see touches of it in the story and those familiar with Harvey can see if they can find those. Not to say that this is a rewrite of Harvey in book form. This is all its own story and Crenshaw isn't identified as a Pooka.
Almost Home by Joan Bauer
Sugar Mae is a strong, plucky 6th grader with a knack for words. That's a good thing. Because she needs her strength when her no good, gambling father comes around and swindles her mom out of more money with his sweet talking and empty promises. Her mom is trying to do the best she can, but eventually they lose their house and end up on the street. Life on the street isn't fun. They go from a cousin's house to a shelter to another shelter in Chicago, but still there's no breakthrough coming. Sugar knows she has to be strong for Reba. A little bundle of fur named Shush entrusted to Sugar in a grocery store parking lot proves some extra encouragement. But even the cutest puppy in the world and the pluckiest 12 year old have limits to what they can do, especially when Reba has a breakdown and ends up in a psych hospital. Will they ever be home again, like when her grandpa King Cole was alive?
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Heartfelt Contemporary Fiction Fans: Joan Bauer has this special talent of knowing just how to get to your heartstrings with her writing. Those prone to cry at Hallmark movies or commercials should have a box of tissues on hand. It is a hard story at times, but eventually hopeful.
- Understanding Homelessness/Low Income/Foster Kids: Bauer tackles a huge, hard topic in homelessness and instability among low income families. And she does it with tact and respect. It is clear anyone could end up in such a situation given the wrong circumstances. And she manages to touch on a host of possible ways this can look, from sleeping in a car to shelter life to a bad foster home situation and eventually a healthy foster home. There are also others Sugar meets who have gone through similar traumas, like neighbors across the street, other people at the shelters, and even the foster mother who finally helps bring some stability to Sugar's life.
- Strong, Wise, Loving Adult Characters: Middle grade fiction is notorious for a lack of strong adult characters. That’s not the case here. Yes, Sugar’s mother needs help. But Sugar has others to fill in for her in the meantime. I love Sugar’s final foster home parents. They rock! So does her 6th grade teacher who stays in touch with her via email. Those three offer a balance to the not-so-responsible other adults in the story. And they illustrate a proven fact - that successful kids need multiple adults pouring into them.
- Voice: Bauer has given Sugar a distinct and memorable voice. She’s got some pluck, early maturity thanks to her circumstances, and phrases from her beloved grandfather to quote. It’s a great example for teachers talking about voice in writing.
- Puppy Lovers: Honestly, I think most readers pick up this book for the cover. It’s pretty hard to resist that puppy. And Shush is around to add adorable puppy antics in the story too, which may be all some readers need to keep turning pages.
Ghost (Track, #1) by Jason Reynolds
Castle (Ghost) Crenshaw is the next best basketball player (even though he's never gotten on the courts), is from the wrong side of town, is somewhat obsessed with world records, has some trouble knowing what to do with the screams inside, and tries to hide the fact that his dad's in prison for trying to shoot him and his mom. On the night his dad shot at them, Ghost discovered he can run really fast when he needs to. But he never really thought about running as a real sport, until the day he accidentally lands himself on a club track team and his mom actually agrees with the coach to let him join. He has to make sure there are no incidents at school and that his homework gets done, and coach holds him to both. Ghost thought he'd just be learning to run, but maybe joining track will help him learn how to stop running from issues he's ignored for years.
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Sports Story Fans: Track fans get reading. Especially since there will be more stories coming about Ghost’s teammates. And don’t worry, it isn’t quite as predictable as some other sports stories. It doesn’t end with the star winning or dying, instead it leaves you hanging a little.
- Contemporary Fiction Fans: Some readers just prefer for their characters and settings to be something they could find in real life. Ghost could live down the street.
- Understanding Inner City/Low Income/Children of Inmates: This story read incredibly authentically. Ghost feels like a kid who could have come out of the inner city. And the situation is a quite plausible hopeful story about how one such kid would meet a coach who could get behind the walls he's built and help him start to turning his life around.
Young Adult Fiction
Saving Red by Sonya Sones
Molly is finishing up her freshman service hours by helping with the homeless count in Santa Monica, Califonia when she first sees Red, a teenager sleeping on a bluff above the beach. Molly can't get Red out of her head, and during an amazing moment on the ferris wheel the next day when she meets Cristo (quite possibly the most amazing guy ever - and he seems to like her!) they see Red dancing in another car. Molly gets the idea that she should try to help Red get reconnected with her family for Christmas, and shares her plan with Cristo. He's 100% behind the plan, but off to New York City with his family that night for the holidays. So it's just Molly, and her faithful dog Pixel, to carry out Operation Red. The truth is that Molly has other reasons she wants to - needs to - help Red, reasons she's not willing to admit to herself.
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Novel in Verse Fans: Those who like quick reads that say an awful lot in just a few powerful words should pick this up.
- Understanding Homelessness/Mental Illness/PTSD: This book did a great job of portraying homelessness and mental illness (a combination that happens a LOT, ~75% of the time among the chronically homeless). I say that as someone who used to work with an organization that helped the homeless in the LA area. This reads authentically. It also touches on PTSD and suicide prevention in a respectful and helpful way. I loved that the author included so many resources in the back for those who need further information or help in several areas. Read this if you want to better understand the homeless and how to help them with dignity.
- Cute, Light Romance Fans: There's a cute, super light romance in this as Molly and Cristo get to know each other.
- Heartfelt Contemporary Fiction Fans: This could have been really heavy, but it doesn’t feel that way. Partly that’s due to the free verse format. Partly that’s because of Molly and Cristo’s budding romance, and Molly is trying really hard to be a good friend to Red. Eventually, everything isn't 100% fixed, but everyone seems to be on a better road, and it's a very heart-warming ending.
Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams
Deo's village in Zimbabwe had people who voted "wrongly" in the last election, so the President's soldiers come to punish the town. Deo and his older brother Innocent (who has special needs) are the only ones to escape alive. They make it to another village where a friend lives who gets them smuggled down to the South African border. From there, the brothers are escorted across the border through a wildlife park and given jobs at a tomato farm. But the nearby town resents the refugees who steal their jobs and Deo decides they should head to Johannesburg to try and find a better place, but they arrive in the middle of the 2008 xenophobic riots and the city isn't safe for them either. Without a home or friends, Deo succumbs to despair until a man recruits him to play street soccer.
Note: This not for everyone. There is some swearing, and Deo witnesses some brutal killing in his village. Glue sniffing becomes a crutch one character must overcome.
Activity Tie-ins/Target Readers:
- Contemporary African Setting: There aren’t a ton of books out there in English set in contemporary Africa. If you’re looking for them, this is one of the few.
- Refugee Experience/Homelessness/Special Needs Characters: So many of us have no idea what many refugees experience in their trials to find a place to belong. Deo's story is definitely hard to read, but also important in that it illustrates very real issues other people in the world are currently facing. Of course, his problems were compounded because he was trying to also take care of his special needs brother at the same time. Though this is a harsh read at times, I recommend it for those who want to better understand the plight of refugees, not as numbers, but as people.
- Soccer Fans: Soccer is a huge part of Deo’s life throughout the book, making this a good one for soccer fans.
- Street Soccer World Cup: I had never heard of the Street Soccer World Cup, but I'm so glad to know it is a real thing and has a high success rate of getting young homeless people off the streets. What a great thing!
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