Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York

Walker, F. (2004). Buffalo Dance:  The journey of York.  Lexington, KY:  The University Press of Kentucky.

Frank X Walker is a professor at the University of Kentucky.  He is known for the creation of the word Affrilachia, meaning "African-American Appalachia.  He even published a book of poetry title Affrilachia in 2000.

The collection of poems titled Buffalo Dance:  The Journey of York revolves around the Lewis and Clark expedition.  York was the name of Clark's slave who traveled with the group.  Walker takes on the persona of York, telling the story of the expedition through York's point of view.  Throughout the collection, there are small descriptions of the events of the expedition.  Walker uses these descriptions to share his inspiration with his audience.

Night

Wiesel, E. (1987). Night.  New York:  Bantam.

Night is a very touching and true story of one teenager's experience during the Holocaust.  Elie was a young boy when his family was forced to leave their home in Transylvania and become prisoners in Auschwitz.  Wiesel was silent about his experience for ten years before he was able to put the tragedy in writing.  It is no wonder that due to the book, Wiesel has so many awards such as the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit

Lester, J. (1987). The tales of Uncle Remus:  the adventures of Brer Rabbit.  New York:  Dial Books.

Uncle Remus Tales have been around for many years.  They have always reminded me of an Appalachian version of Aesop's Fables.  They are fun stories for readers of all ages and teach moral lessons.  Most characters in the tales are anthropomorphized animals who take on personality traits and characteristics of southern stereotypes. However, there are a few human characters who must interact with the animal characters.  Like many other traditional stories, the line between what is human and what is animal is often blurred.

The Hunger Games

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games.  New York:  Scholastic.

The Hunger Games has become a worldwide phenomena with the recent release of the movie in March of this year.  After reading the book, it is easy to see why so many young adults (and adults) really enjoy the book series and why the novel has won so many awards.  Suzanne Collins creates a strong character in her narrator, Katniss through the use of  indirect characterization.  Collins creates other strong characters as well, each with his or her own personality.  So readers can connect with at least one character.

The Boy Who Loved Words

Schotter, R. (2006). The boy who loved words.  New York:  Scwartz & Wade Books.

The Boy Who Loved Words is a very challenging picture book that won the 2006 Parent's Choice Award.  Schotter tells the story of Selig, a boy who has a very large vocabulary and is often an outcast due to his love of words.  However, Selig meets a poet and later the love of his life, who is a collector of music, to serve his purpose in life.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Stead, P. (2010).  A sick day for Amos McGee.  New York:  Roaring Book Press.

Philip Stead's book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, is a Caldecott Medal winner, and it's obvious why after taking a look at this heart-warming story. Amos McGee works at a zoo taking care of the animals. He spends everyday making sure the animals get special one on one attention, such as sitting quietly with a penguin and reading stories to the owl.  One day, Amos becomes ill and is unable to go to the zoo.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf

Scieszka, J. (1989). The true story of the 3 little pigs by A. Wolf.  NewYork:  Viking.

In The true story of the 3 little pigs by A. Wolf, Jon Scieszka rewrites the classic from the point of view from the fairy tale's antagonist.  A. Wolf is the narrator of the satirical story.  Scieszka creatively alludes to the classic with lines like "Little Pig, Little Pig, are you in?" and "...the hair on my chinny, chin, chin."