ECEL 219, Blog #2

"Hawk, I'm your brother," written by Byrd Baylor, and Illustrated by Peter Parnall, is a caldecott honor book. In this story, a little natavie american boy, Rudy Soto, wants nothing more then to learn to fly. He asks everyone he knows if they know how or if they can teach them. Eventually he grows tired of being laughed at and stops asking. This is when he decides to capture a hawk out of his favorite nest on the side of his favorite mountain. He ties hawk to a string and keeps him in a cage when he cannot be with him. This story goes on with a somewhat surprise ending. Does little Rudy Soto learn how to fly from his hawk? This story would be a great exploration story for forshadowing and prediction for children. And, on top of that, it is Multi Cultural! Enjoy!

Recommendations for Children's Lit:

One book that, after reading, I highly recommend everyone read is "Henry's Freedom Box." This book, by Ellen Levine, illistrations by Kadir Nelson, is full of amazing drawings that really enhance the story. It is not only multicultural, but has a strong historical theme too. Henry is a slave who is separated from his family when his owner sells him. He is again separated from his family years later when his wife and children are sold to a different plantation far away. He is crushed, and this story really helps show the need he feels for family. This story of the underground rail road gives a history and understanding of some of what slaves went through. I would recommend this book to teachers and parents alike.