 Set in 2001, eleven-year-old American-Japanese Ema has moved in with her grandparents in Tokyo because of her mother’s difficult pregnancy. Fitting in is difficult – she is a “foreigner.” In free verse, Ema describes her life and concerns. Her Papa is away at work too much. Obaachan (her grandmother) is stern and domineering. Jiichan (her grandfather) is sweet, but fragile. Japanese school is a challenge. And she worries about her soon-to-be Little Sister. The story is about connectedness, as Ema is stuck between two worlds and two cultures. Viewing the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers from Japan is especially intriguing. The author’s very extensive website gives information about the history, holidays, anniversaries, and tragedies Japan and America share that are woven throughout the story. Also included are the author’s inspiration, photos, a story playlist, and peace education opportunities and programs. mjw |
| Title: Somewhere Among Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4814-3786-8 Hardcover pages: 448 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Verse Book setting: Tokyo, Japan Author’s ethnicity: Japan Author’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Asia, Asian-Americans, Belonging, Japan, Grandmothers, New baby, Novels in verse, Peace ,Pregnancy, Racially mixed people, September 11 Terrorist Attacks – 2001 |
Somewhere Among
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At night when the Zoo is closed to people, the monkey decides to explore. He sees many animal opposites such as a hairy lion and a bald hippo or a slow sloth and a fast cheetah. The monkey explores the whole zoo but the sun is rising. He needs to make it back to his cage before the zoo keepers return in the morning. This book will entertain young readers with brightly colored animals and their contrasting characteristics and teach an introductory lesson in opposites. amo
Babak the dung beetle sets out on a laborious journey to find the mother of the mysterious egg he discovered. He asks birds, frogs, and even snakes but cannot seem to find the right mother. Finally, he finds another egg just like his! He looks for the mother and discovers that she is hitting her eggs across a field with a stick. Babak does not approve of this mothering so he takes matters into his own hands to save his egg. The bright illustrations created through lino-cutting will keep the reader engaged in the mystery of the lost egg. amo
In this rhyming picture book readers will learn about animals and their babies. Each page is a new verse about a different animal mother and her young. The illustrations are black and white rubbings with accents of color on each page. They highlight the natural forms and shapes of the animals that we see in our world. Young readers will love learning about the connection that these baby animals have to their mothers. amo
999 tadpoles are growing together in a big, big pond. One tadpole isn’t growing quite so fast and gets left behind all alone. Fortunately he finds a friend in a small crayfish who thinks the small frog is his big brother. A strong bond is formed until the mother crayfish comes to take little brother away, but their friendship is not forgotten when a big snake comes to the lake. This vividly colored picture book will teach readers to “never underestimate the size of true friendship!” amo
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