Hold the Flag High by Catherine Clinton and Shane W. Evans - ESSENTIAL

 Hold the Flag High: The True Story of the First Black Medal of Honor Winner by Catherine Clinton, illustrated by Shane W. Evans. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Katherine Tegan (Harper), 2021. $8 (paperback reprint from 2005). 9780060504304 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

William Carney was a soldier of the 54th Massachusetts regiment – an all Black Civil War company. During their most famous battle, Carney grabbed the flag when the flag bearer was shot and rallied the troops to protect it and keep fighting. 

Another nice dimension to stories of the Civil War of also of Black heroism. You should be proud to share this story with any age. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood by Tameka Fryer Brown -- ESSENTIAL

Brown, Tameka Fryer My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood, illustrated by Shane W. Evans. PICTURE BOOK. Viking Juvenile, 2013. $16.99. Content: G.

Jamie is in a fun mood, a purple mood, when his mean older brothers shove him into gray. But his little sister asks him to draw her a picture, and both her enthusiasm and his drawing move him into green. So it goes, throughout the day, new colors matching Jamie's shifting moods.

This is a wonderful book for kicking off a discussion about feelings, enhancing a lesson on metaphors, or reviewing colors. It's great fun to read aloud, with a rhythm that flows to match the different moods. The illustrations further the goal of bringing each mood's color alive. I do wish is that the book had an easier title, though, as I forget the exact wording of it more often than not, which makes it harder to recommend to readers or to search for on the shelves.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn

The Banana-Leaf Ball by Katie Milway - ADVISABLE

Milway, Katie Smith The Banana-Leaf Ball, illustrated by Shane W. Evans.  PICTURE BOOK.  Citizen Kid (Kids Can Press), 2017.  $19

When Deo’s family fled their war-ravaged village, he had to leave behind his banana-leaf ball.  Life in the refugee camp was tense and dangerous; Leo spent most of his time trying to survive.  After a volunteer brings a real soccer ball to the camp and organizes play, Deo remembers his old ball and the kids in the camp bond over making and playing their new balls.

Based on a true story, the newest Citizen Kids book brings a new dimension to the lives of refugee children.  The text on each page is rather wordy – this is not meant to be read by a child alone, but together with a teacher or other adult.  It will be a very rewarding experience, especially in combination with a humanitarian project of some kind.

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Lillian’s Right to Vote by Jonah Winter - ADVISABLE

Winter, Jonah Lillian’s Right to Vote, illustrated by Shane W, Evans.  PICTURE BOOK.  Schwarz & Wade (Random), 2015.  $18. 

As Lillian heads her way up the hill to cast her vote in the election, she sees the panorama of African Americans before her who fought for their right to vote, as Lillian continues to fight. 

This is an excellent short look at the history of Civil Rights in the United States.  There is one drawing of a unclothed slave on the block, back view, but for me is was about the indignity of the slave block, not that he was unclothed.  I would love for any American History or African American studies teacher to use this as a unit introduction and explore each issue mentioned.

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher