Friday, April 20, 2018

Stolen Words by Melanie Florence -OPTIONAL

Florence, Melanie Stolen Words.  NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Second Story Press, 2017. $18.

A young girl asks her grandfather to speak some of his Native Cree language to her. But he cannot, he tells her that his words were taken from him. That when he was a child he was taught to forget his native language by white people. The young girl seeks out a book at her local library on the Cree language and together her and her grandfather find the words that were stolen. Features cute illustrations.

Written by a woman of Cree descent, which can often be important in books that have cultural references. This book gives a small peek into the lives that Native Americans in the past were forced to lead in the government required boarding schools. The text is simple and could work for K-2. I think it would be best read as an intro to a  lesson on this subject and time period, something younger readers may have difficulty grasping –while older students would not be grabbed by this book because it is too childish. Wish there was more information and resources in the back of the book.  

EL(K-3) -OPTIONAL.  Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian & Author

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