Inclusive Lit: All the Way to the Top

  All the Way to the Top

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Pimentel, Annette Bay. 2020. All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything. Ill. by Nabi H. Ali. Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks explore. ISBN 1492688975

 

Plot Summary:

All the Way to the Top is a biographical picture book about Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. Born with cerebral palsy, Jennifer knew the challenges facing everyone, but especially kids with disabilities. She was often made fun of and left out of things at school. At a very early age, she knew she wanted to make a difference. Together with her parents, Jennifer joined activists fighting for equal rights for disabled people. She joined protests, waved signs, and spoke at events. When she was eight, the American Disabilities Act had not been past yet. Jennifer joined others on the steps of the United States Capital, got out of of her wheel chair, and crawled up the steps to the capital in the famous Capital Crawl. Determined to represent the many children with disabilities, Jennifer's picture climbing the steps made the news and got people's attention. Finally, the American Disabilities Act was passed ensuring that "entrances would be rebuilt, sidewalks redesigned, and buses reengineered" (Pimentel 2020).
 

Critical Analysis:

Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins' story is an one of bravery, selflessness, and action. Pimentel and Ali tell her story well, capturing her determination and gumption through both the text and illustrations. Pimmentel delicately balances the text between important historical/biographical information and the gentle storytelling flow of a picture book. She uses repetition of STOP and GO throughout the book to draw the reader's attention to the obstacles Jennifer faced in the world and the determination she had to push through those challenges. The STOP and GO reference continue all the way to the end, when Pimentel cleverly changes it up by saying, "Jennifer has places to GO... AND NOTHING WILL STOP HER NOW" (Pimentel 2020). Written for a younger audience, Pimmentel also weaves in explanations of the American Disabilities Act and the activists behind the disabilities equality movement, giving readers important information about a topic that is likely brand new to them when reading the book.  

 

Ali's illustrations are large, colorful, and bold. The illustrations are inclusive and diverse, including people with a range of skin tones and an array of different disabilities throughout the book. All characters are drawn with care, honoring the difference in people and avoiding any stereotypes or misrepresentations. Some images have a dark or grey background with the illustration of Jennifer in full color toward the front. This draws the reader's eye to Jennifer, highlighting the importance of her journey in activism, but in doing so also blends all the other disabled activists into the background missing the mark for giving a voice to a group of people who have often been overlooked or left out. 

All the Way to the Top is sure to inspire young readers to get involved in activism. The foreword written by Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins invites readers to get involved from the very first page, saying "I hope that by sharing my story, kids everywhere will see that you don't have to be a grown-up to make a difference. If you believe in something, say it loud for everyone to hear!" Unlike most picture books the forward is not squeezed between the title page and the first page of the story. The forward is strategically printed on the left hand side of the first page of the story, making sure it is easily seen by every reader who picks up the book. Finally, Pimentel includes an informational section and timeline at the end of the book, giving readers additional information on disabilities, the fight for equality, the Capital Crawl, and more. She also includes the original photograph of Jennifer making the climb in 1990. The timeline includes major milestones of the Disability Rights Movement paired with important events from Jennifer's life. The extras in the book are sure to peak the interest of young readers and will likely lead to additional questions and research on this important topic and movement.

Review Excerpts & Awards: 

BOOK LIST (February 1, 2020) "The book’s informative back matter includes concise explanations of topics mentioned in the text. Pimentel’s compelling, present-tense narrative gives the story great immediacy, helping children connect with Jennifer’s reactions to physical barriers and social injustice. Making good use of color, light, and contrast, Ali contributes a series of expressive digital illustrations. Still an activist, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins offers a thought-provoking foreword to this inspiring picture book."

 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (February 1, 2020) "Pimental's present tense writing and portrayal of the power of a young person fighting to create change will engage young audiences. A few illustrations do not visually match the content of the text. A foreword and back matter enhance understanding. The time line that is provided might cause readers to seek extra information to fully understand specific milestones. VERDICT Even with a few quibbles, Pimentel offers a great look at a young activist creating change and a better understanding of the importance of the ADA"

• Schneider Family Book Honor, 2021

 Curricular Connections:

• Do some research. What are somethings that changed with the passing of the American Disabilities Act? How did the ADA help people with different disabilities?
  
• Activists are speaking out on many different topics. Invite students to learn about other areas of activism that might interest them.
  

Inclusive Lit: When Aiden Became a Brother

  When Aidan Became a Brother

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Lukoff, Kyle. 2019. When Aidan Became a Brother. Ill. by Kaylani Juanita. New York: Lee & Low Books. ISBN 1620148374

 

Plot Summary:

As a young child, Aiden hated the sound of his name and the clothes that he wore. It was more than being a different kind of girl, Aiden didn't feel like a girl at all. He was a boy. Aiden shared his truth with his parents and together they learned, adjusted, and fixed the parts of Aiden's life that didn't feel true to him. When Aiden's mother becomes pregnant, Aiden wants to be the best big brother but worries that, like him, the baby might feel misunderstood. He sets out to find a name that will "fit this new person no matter who they grew up to be" (Lukoff 2019).  He practices reading to the baby. He paints the baby's room with his father. But no matter what he does, he can't shake his worry. Aiden finally talks to his mother. She reassures him that mistakes might be made, but mistakes can be fixed and that the best way to be a big brother is "to love someone for exactly who they are" (Lukoff, 2019).

Critical Analysis:

When Aiden Became a Brother is a beautiful story of acceptance, love, and family. Lukoff writes with care and love, as he tells Aiden's story and explores Aiden's worries about becoming a big brother. The text is straightforward and clear from the beginning, explaining how Aiden did not feel like a girl, but rather "another kind of boy" (Lukoff 2019) and how his family "learned a lot from other families with transgender kids" (Lukoff 2019). As the story continues, Lukoff shows how Aiden's anxiety about the upcoming baby is heavily impacted by the gender stereotypes in the world. The reader sees how gender assumptions and questions make him uncomfortable and how his parents navigate this situations to make Aiden feel at ease. Lukoff uses Aiden's parents as a positive example of how to change the narrative of the dominant culture an counter gender bias. When asked if she is having a boy or a girl, Aiden's mother responds that she is "having a baby" (Lukoff 2019). Aiden and his family show how focusing on the person, rather than a gender, and loving someone for who they are is the most important thing we can do. 

Kaylani Juanita's busy and vibrant illustrations pair perfectly with the text. Each double page spread captures Aiden's emotional journey. Juanita's facial expressions of the characters convey a range of strong emotions from anger, pride, and worry to unconditional love and acceptance. The details on each page show impeccable attention to detail and expand on the text. This is particularly true on the pages that show Aiden's first room and his second room. The first room has broken princess items on the floor and drawings of nature on the easel and notebook paper. The second room is filled with plants and nods to nature and the dress Aiden's mother was holding on the first page is now being used as a flag on a walking stick. Several items remain the same, like the fluffy chair and white rabbit, but many items have been replaced or repurposed to belong in Aiden's new space. Nature continues as a theme throughout the illustrations. For example on the page where Aiden is trying to find possible baby names, he is looking for something to "fit the new person no matter who they grow up to be" (Lukoff 2019), so he looks to nature for inspiration coming up with names like moss, rain, river, forest, and sky. Many pages are filled with text and art blending the words perfectly in the background or within the images leaving very little white space throughout the book. This format weaves the text with the pictures, using both mediums and the complete page to tell Aiden's story. Each digitally rendered illustration beautifully captures the mood and message of Lukoff's words and Aiden's journey.

 

Lukoff and Juanita have created a book that celebrates families, love, and the beautify of being true to yourself. Lukoff's note to readers at the back of the book explains how Aiden's story connects with everyone whether it's through the anxiety of becoming an older sibling or feeling like you don't belong. Void of stereotypes and gender assumptions, When Aiden Becomes a Big Brother proves how important and necessary books that represent the LGBTQ+ community are for ALL readers.

Review Excerpts & Awards: 
 

HORN BOOK GUIDE (Fall 2019) "Brown-skinned (possibly biracial) Aidan, who's transgender, knows how it feels to be misunderstood, so he wants to get things right for his new sibling. Lukoff's straightforward approach to Aidan's gender transition rings with authenticity, and he puts the child-centered story ahead of message. Celebrating the family's close, affirming relationship, Juanita's vibrant digital illustrations take cues from the text, which models how to avoid the male/female binary."

 

KIRKUS REVIEWS (April 1, 2019) "Lukoff breaks away from binary language and stereotypical gender roles, highlighting within the text and in an author’s note that there is more than one way to be a person of any gender. The hopeful message at the end emphasizes love and the importance of staying open to learning. Joyful and affirming, Aidan’s story is the first of its kind among books for welcoming a new baby."

•  Stonewall Book Award, 2020
  

 Curricular Connections/Books for Further Reading:

• Brown, Peter. Fred Gets Dressed. 0316200646
• Herthel, Jessica. I Am Jazz. 0803741073
  
• Love, Jessica. Julian is a Mermaid. 0763690457
  
• Lukoff, Kyle. Call Me Max. 147886897X
• Pearlman, Robb. Pink is for Boys. 0762462477
• Thorn, Theresa. It Feels Good to be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity. 1250302951

Asian Pacific American Lit: Home Is In Between

 

 Home Is In Between

A Review by Amanda Kendall

Bibliography:

Perkins, Mitali. 2021. Home is in Between. Ill. by Lavanya Naidu. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0374303673

 

Plot Summary:

Shanti moves from the "warm monsoon rains" (Perkins 2021) of India to a "town with cold rain" (Perkins 2021) in the United States. Shanti finds her new apartment still feels like her old village but everything outside of that is very strange and new. As she starts school, makes friends, and learns the town she finds herself going back and forth. At home she learns to Kathak with her Ma and learns Bangla letters with Baba. Out of the house she goes to ballet and laughs at Hollywood movies with her friends. Her parents hold tight to the village and her friends show her the town. Pretty soon, Shanti is exhausted from bouncing back and forth between to cultures and needs to rest. She wakes up ready to embrace her bi-cultural life find her home is right there in the in between.

Critical Analysis:

Perkins and Naidu have created a beautifully authentic celebration of growing up as a first generation immigrant in the United States. Perkins skillfully contrasts Shanti's two worlds on every double page spread. From watching Bollywood films with her family to laughing at Hollywood movies with her friends and learning to dance Kathak with her Ma to visiting a ballet class with Tonya, Shanti is constantly immersed in both worlds everyday. Each double page spread shows Shanti experiencing similar things but in different ways. For example, Baba teaches Shanti Bangla letters one one page and then Shanti reads The Little Engine that Could to Baba in English on the page that follows. The structure of the text along with the repetition of the lines "back and forth she ran....again and again. In between" (Perkins 2021) emphasize how Shanti switches from one culture to another as she grows up in both at the same time and how exhausting this back and forth can be. Shanti is finally able to find peace when she realizes that she is from the in between or "the space between cultures" - equally part of both.

Naidu's illustrations are vibrant and almost cartoon like in design. She fully captures the two cultures that make up Shanti's life from the very beginning. The village on the first page is lush and filled with green foliage, while the illustration of the town that follows is rainy and grey. The vibrancy of the village not only captures the authentic foliage and landscape of India but mirrors Shant's feelings toward the two places. The town is initially shown as rainy and grey, unwelcoming, and difficult to understand, but as Shanti finds her place in her new life the town warms up to become as vibrant as her home in the village. In the end, both places are filled with life and color and prove to be an important part of Shanti's identity.

 

Naidu's skillfully uses facial expressions throughout the book to capture character emotions and expand on the text. For example, when Ma and Shanti are in the restaurant, you see Shanti looking around the corner curiously while Ma looks troubled reading the menu.  A few pages later, Ma is checking out at the store while other customers are seen scowling and checking their watch. Shanti is scowling right back. In these little moments a picture is worth a thousand words, capturing Shanti's joy, pain, bewilderment, exhaustion and everything in between. Illustrations range from full page spreads to square box vignettes that showcase Shanti's experiences in both worlds, often with Shanti walking back and forth between the pages. Each illustration is carefully laid out to emphasize the back and forth of Shanti's life as she code switches between her two worlds. 

 

Cultural markers fill the text and illustration on every page. The characters are authentically represented in skin tone, dress, and hairstyle. Stereotypes are avoided entirely, with characters that are proudly showing off their culture on each page. Perkins includes many cultural references including luchi, a Bengali puffed deep fried bread and frequent mentions of Bangla, the Bengali language. Shanti watches Bollyhood films, celebrates Holi, and plays the harmonium. The entire book from cover to cover is a celebration of the combining of American and Indian culture within Shanti. In the author's note, Perkins explains her own experiences growing up as a first generation immigrant and her desire to understand "American manners, slant, trends and rituals - the "code" at school" while also "trying to stay fluent in traditional Benglai culture and language - the "code" of home" (Perkins 2021). She goes on to explain how this code switching has become her greatest superpower and offers hope to those immigrants in similar situations. The book wraps up with a helpful glossary of terms and a pronunciation guide for readers. 

 

With detailed expressive pictures and thoughtfully written text, Home is In Between shows readers the beauty and power of being a first generation immigrant, proof that one can have their American identify while holding on to their cultural identity in the perfectly balanced in between.

Review Excerpts & Awards: 
 

BOOKLIST (June 1, 2021) "Reflecting the experiences of Perkins and many other immigrant children, this heartfelt picture book records the push/pull of remembering the old ways while learning the new ones. Lively and specific in its references, the writing sets up cultural dichotomies that work particularly well in expressive, richly colored artwork by Naidu, an Indian animator and illustrator. By shining a light on one girl’s story, this vibrant picture book illuminates the experience of many immigrant children"

 

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY (January 4, 2021) "Animation-style characters by Naidu (Susie Will Not Speak) reflect emotion clearly, while straightforward writing by Perkins (Between Us and Abuela) shows how Shanti learns to appreciate aspects of her new life while keeping people and elements from her old one close to her heart.

 Curricular Connections:

• Shanti learns many new things throughout the book. Have students learn something new. From learning a new recipe to learning a new trick on the bike encourage students to try something new to broaden their experiences.
  
• Shanti's identity continues to grow and change throughout the book. Have students make an identity web about themselves.