Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz

 Caldecott Medal winner-2025

I borrowed and read this book since it won the Caldecott.

Sissy's two-year-old brother, Chooch, loves to "help" everyone in their Native American community. As she observes his disastrous help, Sissy becomes frustrated and irritated until she loses her temper with him and gets into trouble. Chooch helps. This time he really does help! 

A realistic and sweet portrayal of family life  I liked how the author included the pronunciation for the Cherokee words she incorporated into the text. The glossary in the back defines them.

The author and illustrator are both citizens of the Cherokee Nation. The author's and the artist's notes are interesting. Directions how to create a pinch pot are included.

-Borrowed from the library.

Bread and Butter Indian by Anne Colver illustrated by Garth Williams*

 Barbara Baum longs for "a-little-girl-her-own-age" to move to the settlement of Burnt Cabins in Western PA. This longing is pronounced when her mother gives her bread and butter sprinkled with sugar to have a tea party with her "friends". Sitting at the large stump along the creek, Barbara carefully sets leaves and sticks as place settings for her party. The squirrel and chipmunk won't cooperate; her doll Ariminta slums over. Then she notices a pair of moccains across the creek. An Indian watches her. Instead of running away like her mother had instructed her, she offers him her slice of bread with butter and sugar. A secret friendship forms, which proves life-saving later in the story.

Based on accounts from the author's husband's great-great-grandmother! Readers are immersed into what life was like in the 1780s.

*Highly recommend. I am so glad my friend shared this title and its sequel with me. I had never heard of them.

-Borrowed via ILL (a used paperback copy is $90 on Amazon!)

Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte*

Award-winner 

1805 Martha's Vineyard-

Mary Lambert is deaf. She is comfortable within her community on Martha's Vineyard, where many people are deaf. Those who are not deaf speak with signs too. Then a young man from Boston arrives to discover the "cause" of the community's prevalent deafness. As Mary watches him, she realizes he views their deafness as an illness and treats them as lesser individuals. Mary reads his notes/letters and discovers he will be bringing dirt and water samples from the island plus a live specimen. She wonders what a live specimen is. Unfortunately, she finds out! A life of horror and confusion awaits her.

A fascinating piece of history I had never encountered before reading this book. 

Book #1 of a trilogy

The author's biography has a misspelling, which annoyed me.

*Highly recommend but  discuss----

Points to Discuss: deafness, treatment of Wampanoag and freedmen, prejudices,  kidnapping, physical abuse, Mary's hearing brother died (before this book takes place) and her mother is treating Mary unkindly in response to it (Mary thinks his death is her fault)

-Borrowed from the library

Hiawatha text set

 My son read about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem in history. I had him read the picture book version by Susan Jeffers and page through the one illustrated by Margaret Early. I read both versions. We also paged through the original poem to appreciate how long it is!!

This one focuses on Hiawatha's childhood and what he learns about nature.

This one is a more comprehensive retelling of the poem. It ends with "Hiawatha's Bride".

-Borrowed from the library.

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry by Anna Rose Johnson*

 When Lucy's guardian passes away, she finds herself living at a lighthouse on Lake Superior with the large Martin family. She is afraid of water. Two years ago her father died in a shipwreck. Not only does she must battle with her fear of water while living there, all of her attempts to be helpful within the Martin family end in disaster. She may even cause Mr. Martin to lose his job as lighthouse keeper. Will the Martin family accept her as one of their own?

A search for a  long-lost necklace, from a shipwreck, is an alluring dimension to the plot.

I liked the references to books I have loved-Little Women, The Story Girl, and The Country of Pointed Firs.

I enjoyed this story and its setting. I loved the Martin family and loved experiencing how a lighthouse family had to function. Although I am highly recommending it, I did find Lucy annoying (in the middle of the book, I did not like her). Her imagination reminded me of Anne Shirely's but not as credible or as well-developed. Also, all of the problems were too perfectly resolved by the end. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Last of the Mohicans DVD

DVD-starring Daniel Day-Lewis 

After my son finished reading the novel, we invited grandparents over to watch the movie.

My husband, my son, and I were  prepared to be very sad after watching the movie. We, however, did not connect to the characters and were not affected by their deaths like we thought we would be. The movie plot was centered around the romances between the characters. The characters who died were not the same ones who died in the novel (minus Uncas). The romance was a very minor role in the novel, almost nonexistent to the plot. The movie plot also portrayed Duncan as a cowardly and untrustworthy person. In the novel he was an upstanding man.  My son and I both liked the novel more. . significantly more.

The landscape filmed is breath-taking and beautiful. I loved the scenes with Hawkeye, Uncas, and Chingachgook running through the forest, up rocks, and through creeks/waterfalls.

Rated R for violence, one passionate kissing scene-you know when it is exactly going to occur & can fasat forward no problem-no inappropriate "skin" is shown (no kissing scenes in the novel), one character commits suicide by jumping off a cliff (this did not happen in the novel)

-Borrowed from the library.

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper*

 I read this classic so I could interact with my son as he reads it for English this year. Critics have a lot to say about the lack of character development, the awkward dialogue, racism & sexism, and wordiness. Despite becoming distracted at times by the wordiness and older word choice, I thoroughly enjoyed this classic. When reading the classics, one needs to understand what society was like at that time, their worldview, and to appreciate the classic's contribution to literature. In other words, consider its context and seek its value. It was considered the first "Great American Novel", and Cooper was called the first American author.

Readers should be aware that Cooper sometimes calls a character by their first name and then in the next sentence by their title/their role or their last name. I found this confusing sometimes!

After reading this book, I am now reading a collection of essays about birding. My brain needs a break! This read was arduous but worth it!

Considerations: violence, very graphic killing of an infant in chapter 17, death of characters

*Highly recommend.

-I own 2 copies of this book (one for me, one for my son). I would love to find a copy with N.C. Wyeth's paintings in it.

We will be watching the movie when my son finished the novel. 

Two Old Women by Velma Wallis*

 An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival

Ms. Wallis relates a story her mother shared with her when she was a youth. Ms. Wallis views stories from elders to youth as a gift. In her introduction she laments how television has stolen these opportunities to sit with elders and hear their stories. This book was published in 1993 before smart phones, tablets etc!

The People, part of the Gwich'in band in Alaska, were suffering from malnutrition and starvation during this hard winter. Food was scarce. Sometimes The People would leave behind the weak, elderly people for "the good" of the rest of the tribe. The chief decided that they must leave behind Ch'idzigyaak (in her 80s) and Sa' (in her 70s). The two women are shocked. They are not weak (although they have complained about their age and their inability to do work like they used to) and know they would not hinder the group. 

The women set out to prove The People wrong and discover they are still strong and capable of survival. An amazing story of survival and forgiveness.

A good book to stimulate thoughts about complaining, aging, how to view and care for the elderly, and the importance of remaining physically active.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven*

Ms. Craven, a descendant of Barbara Leininger, relates Barbara's story about the effects of the Penn's Creek Massacre on the family. 
After the Allegheny warriors murder their father and one brother, they burn the family's home and kidnap Barbara and her sister Regina.  The reader experiences Barbara's life with the Native Americans, her daring escape and her reunion with her family. 
The importance of teaching my sons God's Word and making sure we sing His truths were reinforced as I read this account.
I read this aloud to my sons a few mornings a week over a few months.  They liked the part when Barbara escaped. 
Ms. Craven does a great job knowing when to skip months/years of Barbara's life to maintain the reader's interest.
*Highly recommend for girls (My boys were not overly thrilled about it.  I wanted them to learn about this remarkable story about an actual person from our area who had experienced the French-Indian War and who had survived a capture.).
-Borrowed from a friend.

The Sign of the Beaver DVD

Based on the novel by Elizabeth George Speare
93 minutes long
The movie followed the basic plot line of the book, but switched some aspects of the plot to make it more exciting.  The  movie also provides the "why" behind some events in the book (more details about when they were detained at the port because of the fever, why they were moving to this land).  I did not like how the movie focused on how Matt's mom had previous feelings about Matt's dad's brother.  This relationship was not mentioned in the book at all, and in my opinion, not necessary. 
My twelve-year-old did not like how the movie spent time on Matt's family's progress.  In the book, the reader only encounters Matt's dad in the beginning and then all of the family at the end.  The book focuses on Matt, his survival and his relationship with the Natives.
The book is better!!
Warning: a couple of "d-n"/swearing, the father accuses his wife of having feelings for his brother and regretting marrying him 
-Borrowed from the library.

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare*

*Award Winner- Newbery Honor Book
I read this book aloud to my twelve-year-old son and ten-year-old son to support our study of Colonial America.  All three of us marveled at how resourceful the Native Americans were.  It also provided an opportunity to discuss the Native Americans' and colonists' interactions and their different perspectives about land and ownership.
Twelve-year-old Matt has helped his father build a log cabin for their family.  His father leaves Matt to watch over the cabin and the newly planted garden while he travels to bring back Matt's mother, his sister Sarah and a new baby.  In seven weeks his father should return.  While he waits, Matt begins to form a rocky friendship with Attean, a native boy from the nearby Beaver tribe.  As the weeks turn into months, Matt begins to associate more and more with Attean and his tribe.  When the Beaver tribe moves north for better hunting grounds, they invite him to join them.  Should he go with them or wait for his family?
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

Sootface An Ojibwa Cinderella Story retold by Robert D. San Souci illustrated by Daniel San Souci

This story was primarily a tale of the Northeast and Great Lakes tribes, although there is a variant in the Southwest. 
A widely traveled tale among the Native Peoples.
When the mother dies, the two older sisters abuse the youngest sister and make her do all of the work. 
When the sister of a mighty warrior from across the lake announces that her brother is looking for a woman to marry, young women are full of hope and glee.  The catch?  No one had ever seen him except for his moccasins hanging by the wigwam.  The woman who can see him and who can describe his bow and bow string may marry him. 
A typical Cinderella ending.
-Borrowed from the library.

DK Find Out! Maya, Incas, and Aztecs by Brian Williams Historical consultant-Dr. Caroline Dodds Pennock*

If there was one book to purchase or borrow when studying these three empires, I would recommend this one!
Organized by topic, the pages/sections compare the empires if the topic pertains to any of them.
Tons of information shared in a appealing manner.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Maya, Aztecs and Incas by Oldrich Ruzicka illustrated by Pavla Kleinova

First of all, this book's design is so fun! Its pages are shaped in a pyramid and layer by layer one can read it.
Lots of information about each empire.
This book intrigued my twelve year old.
Pair with DKFind Out!-Maya, Incas and Aztecs by Brian Williams
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Maiden of the Mist by Veronika Martenova Charles

A Legend of the Niagara Falls
Ms. Charles shares this legend, basing it on a European retelling of an Iroquois legend.
A Seneca tribe lives along the Niagara River and enjoys the beauty of the land.  Then a sickness descends upon their tribe, killing even chief's wife.  His daughter, Lelawala, offers herself as a sacrifice and discovers the cause of the sickness.  She ultimately helps the tribe destroy the source of the sickness, giving her people the life they had remembered.
-Borrowed from the library.
*The Maid of the Mist is named after this legend.

The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey: A Mayan Legend by Anne Rockwell

Chac, one of the gods of the sky who controls the rain, wind, thunder and lightning, grabs a boy from earth to be his servant.  The boy, however, is disobedient on Earth and gives the tough god a challenging time!   The boy longs to be home with his family and does something desperate to return.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Bravest Flute by Ann Grifalconi

A Story of Courage in the Mayan Tradition
A boy has the honor to lead the villagers into the center of town to welcome the new year.  He leads the procession by playing his flute and wearing a drum on his back.   He is weak from little food over the winter. If he leads well, the elders will reward him with pesos with which he can buy food for his family and more seed corn.  Will he survive the long trek or collapse?
-Borrowed from the library.

Mule Train Mail by Craig Brown*

Mr. Brown describes the descent Anthony the Postman makes each day to deliver mail to his village, Supai,  at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The reader experiences the breath-taking journey (and at times harrowing!) through Mr. Brown's illustrations.  He opens up a world that most children do not know exists!
I especially like how the reader must orient the book vertically once Anthony begins to travel down to the village and then horizontally once he reaches his destination.
Before writing this book, Mr. Brown actually rode along with Anthony on the mule train!
A fun book to read before taking a field trip to the post office.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: asking questions (I asked a lot of questions while I read this book aloud to my seven  year old!); inferring

Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling Clancy Holling*

-Award winner- Caldecott Honor Book
An Indian boy in the Canadian wilderness carves an Indian sitting in a canoe.  He places the canoe in the snow where the snow will melt and flow into the Great Lakes.
The following chapters follow "Paddle Person" and his journey through the Great Lakes and into the ocean.
Amazing diagrams!
*Highly recommend.
Perfect to utilize while learning about the Great Lakes.
-Borrowed from the library.
Point to discuss: use of the word "Injun".
Guided Reading Level: O (end of third grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.5
I would love to read this author's other books-Minn of the Mississippi and Seabird.

When Turtle Grew Feathers by Tim Tingle illustrated by Stacey Schuett*

The Choctaw people share their version of Aesop's Fable -The Tortoise and the Hare.
After turkey by accident breaks turtle's shell, he and the ants help mend the shell.  Pleased with their kindness, turtle permits turkey to try on his shell.  Just then hare arrives, bragging about his speed and challenges turtle to a race (not realizing it was turkey inside the shell!).
A very fun book!  A great read aloud book for story time.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.