[LM_NET] HIT: Growing Up in America

[Vicki Reutter <Vreutt@AOL.COM>]

Thanks for all of the great title suggestions for my faculty booktalk 
inservice. The responses are as follows:

“Digging to America" by Anne Tyler.   The primary story about two families 
adopting little girls from Korea at about the same time and the friendship they 
develop as they raise their daughters in very different ways is excellent.   
But what I really enjoyed was the subtle and moving portrayal of the Iranian 
mother of one of the families as she assimilates into American culture. 
********************
Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch is a favorite of mine about the immigrant 
experience. 
********************
Russell Baker's memoir, Growing Up. It's an older title, but it is such a 
heartwarming, instructive read. (for hs)
Richard Peck's, The Teacher's Funeral - it takes place in 1904 though. For a 
good Great Depression era book with a school theme, Peck's A Year Down Yonder. 
Also, his Here Lies the Librarian is a scream that begs to be taught, because 
kids don't get it.
Avi's The Secret School takes place in 1925
In Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Paterson, one of the characters remains 
in school at the insistence of her family, but feels guilty about it.
In Poor is Just a Starting place by Wyatt, two siblings have two different 
views about schooling.
*****************
for 5th grade:
Belle Teal by Ann M. Martin
Tadpole by Ruth White
Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr (other books by Kathleen Karr like The 
Boxer)
*********************
I would definitely include Peg Kehret's, Small Steps:   The Year I Got Polio. 
  Many people have no idea what great fears polio caused, and not that long 
ago.
********************
Life Is So Good by George Dawson, Richard Glaubman   
      I have just finished this one and consider it well worth the read. If 
you are not familar with George Dawson, he learned to read when he was 98 years 
old. He lived in 3 centuries and was a huge influence on people all over the 
country deciding to go back for education- GED, reading or whatever they 
needed.
      His life was hard and gives you a different point of view of our 
history, but his influence was/is very positive. It is a relatively fast read.
*******************
 "Out of the Dust" is a great book about the Oklahoma Dust Bowl.   All ages 
enjoy it.   Easy but reflective reading.
*******************

Vicki Reutter, LMS
Cazenovia (NY) Jr. Sr. High School
vreutt@aol.com
vreutter@caz.cnyric.org



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