Book Reviews 

"Front Desk" by Kelly Yang

Grade Level Focus: 5th–7th
Teaching Focus: Immigration experiences, perseverance, and empathy
Addresses SEL Competencies:
Self-Awareness: Recognizing personal strengths and cultural identity.
Social Awareness: Understanding diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of immigrants.

Possible Essential Questions:

  • How do Mia's experiences shape her understanding of identity and belonging?
  • How can empathy help us support people in difficult situations?

Short Summary:
Mia Tang manages the front desk of a motel while her immigrant parents clean the rooms. Despite the hardships they face as a Chinese-American family, Mia shows resilience and advocates for herself, her family, and their community. Front Desk provides a powerful narrative about immigration, racism, and economic struggles, while emphasizing hope and determination.

Additional Features:

  • Short chapters and relatable characters engage readers.
  • Author’s note sharing personal experiences of immigration.

Resources for Further Reading/Related Lesson Plans:

  • Classroom discussions about immigration and empathy.
  • Writing prompts: "What challenges might new immigrants face in a community?"
  • Activities exploring personal and family heritage stories.

Michigan ELA Standards:

  • RL.5.2: Determine the theme of a story and summarize it.
  • RL.5.3: Compare and contrast characters, settings, or events.
  • RL.6.6: Explain how the author develops the narrator's point of view.
  • R.CM.06.01: Connect personal experiences and world knowledge to themes in the text (immigration, perseverance).

 

"New Kid" by Jerry Craft

Grade Level Focus: 5th–8th
Teaching Focus: Navigating new environments, microaggressions, and belonging
Addresses SEL Competencies:
Self-Awareness: Reflecting on personal emotions in unfamiliar situations.
Relationship Skills: Building and maintaining healthy relationships in diverse settings.

Possible Essential Questions:

  • What challenges does Jordan face in his new school, and how does he navigate them?
  • How can we create inclusive spaces for everyone?

Short Summary:
Jordan Banks, an African American student, enrolls at a prestigious private school where he is one of the few kids of color. Through humor and honesty, the graphic novel explores issues of race, class, and fitting in, as Jordan learns to balance his home life with the culture of his new school.

Additional Features:

  • Graphic novel format with engaging visuals.
  • Reflective journaling prompts included at the end of the book.

Resources for Further Reading/Related Lesson Plans:

  • Discussions on microaggressions and respectful language.
  • Art projects: "Create your own graphic novel page about identity."
  • Educator guide from the publisher with lesson ideas.

Michigan ELA Standards:

  • RL.6.3: Describe how a story’s plot unfolds and how characters respond or change.
  • RL.6.6: Explain how the author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker.
  • R.CM.06.01: Connect personal knowledge and world understanding to themes in text (identity, belonging).

"Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhhà Lai

Grade Level Focus: 5th–7th
Teaching Focus: Refugee experiences and emotional resilience
Addresses SEL Competencies:
Self-Management: Coping with changes and emotional challenges.
Social Awareness: Understanding refugee experiences and perspectives.

Possible Essential Questions:

  • How does Hà’s journey help us understand the experiences of refugees?
  • What helps us stay resilient during times of change?

Short Summary:
Told in free verse, Inside Out and Back Again follows Hà, a young girl forced to flee Vietnam with her family during the Vietnam War. Relocating to Alabama, Hà navigates language barriers, bullying, and cultural differences while holding on to her identity and memories of home.

Additional Features:

  • Poetic format makes it accessible and impactful.
  • Author’s note provides historical context and personal connection.

Resources for Further Reading/Related Lesson Plans:

  • Poetry writing: "Tell your story in verse."
  • Map activity: Trace Hà’s journey from Vietnam to the U.S.
  • Lesson plans on empathy and global awareness from TeachingBooks.

Michigan ELA Standards:

  • RL.6.3: Describe how a particular story’s plot unfolds and how the characters respond or change.
  • RL.6.6: Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker.
  • R.CM.06.01: Connect personal knowledge and world understanding to themes in the text.
    Social Studies (if interdisciplinary):
  • 6 – G4.4.1: Explain how culture influences people's lives.

 

"The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez

Grade Level Focus: 5th–7th
Teaching Focus: Embracing cultural heritage and creative expression
Addresses SEL Competencies:
Self-Awareness: Recognizing and celebrating personal identity.
Relationship Skills: Communicating effectively and standing up for oneself.

Possible Essential Questions:

  • How does music and creativity help Malú express her identity?
  • Why is it important to stay true to ourselves, even when facing pressure to conform?

Short Summary:
María Luisa (Malú), a punk rock-loving Mexican American girl, struggles to balance her mother’s cultural expectations with her own interests. Through zines, music, and new friendships, Malú learns the value of expressing herself and embracing all parts of her identity.

Additional Features:

  • Includes DIY zine-making tips and punk playlists.
  • Author’s note on the importance of cultural identity and creativity.

Resources for Further Reading/Related Lesson Plans:

  • Zine-making workshop: "Create a zine about your interests or culture."
  • Classroom discussions on cultural heritage and self-expression.
  • Activities on how music and art can be forms of activism.

Michigan ELA Standards:

  • RL.5.3: Compare and contrast characters, settings, or events.
  • RL.6.3: Describe how a story’s plot unfolds and how characters respond or change.
  • RL.6.6: Explain how the author develops the point of view of the narrator.
  • R.CM.06.01: Connect personal knowledge to themes of identity, self-expression, and culture.

 

"A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park
Grade Level Focus: 5th–7th
Teaching Focus: Survival, perseverance, global awareness of water scarcity
Addresses SEL Competencies:

  • Self-Management: Setting goals and persevering through adversity
  • Social Awareness: Recognizing the challenges faced by communities worldwide and the importance of global citizenship

Possible Essential Questions:

  • How do people survive and remain hopeful in the face of overwhelming challenges?
  • What can we learn about the global water crisis and our role in helping?

Short Summary:
Based on a true story, this novel follows two narratives in Sudan: Salva, a "Lost Boy" fleeing civil war, and Nya, a girl who walks hours each day to fetch water for her family. Their stories eventually intertwine in an inspiring tale of survival, determination, and hope. The book raises awareness of the global water crisis and highlights the resilience of those affected by it.

Additional Features:

  • Realistic fiction based on true events
  • Highlights global issues such as civil war and water scarcity
  • Powerful for empathy-building and global citizenship discussions

Resources for Further Reading/Related Lesson Plans:

  • Water conservation projects (connect to science curriculum)
  • Mapping activity: trace Salva’s and Nya’s journeys on a map of Sudan
  • Class fundraiser or awareness campaign for clean water initiatives

Michigan ELA Standards:

  • R.CM.06.01: Connect personal knowledge, experiences, and understanding of the world to themes and perspectives in text.
  • R.PP.06.02: Reflect on understanding to monitor comprehension and make meaning from text.
  • R.IT.06.01: Analyze organizational patterns in informational text to predict meaning.
    Social Studies (if cross-curricular):
  • 6 – G5.2.1: Describe the impact of humans on the environment (water scarcity).