Circle Unbroken
Circle Unbroken by Margot Theis Raven; illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Circle Unbroken is the story of sweet grass baskets and the history they hold for one particular African-American family in the story. This book is a perfect integration of South Carolina culture and history. Great for our 3rd grade because they talk about Gullah culture and focus on all things South Carolina.
This book is also a South Carolina Children’s Book Award nominee for this school year. You can find ideas on using this book in the classroom along with more information on this book at the South Carolina Association of School Librarians book award website.
Student reviews of Circle Unbroken:
I liked it because it let slaves free and taught me something. Julian H.
I would like to learn how to make baskets like they did in the story. Jassmyn M.
The grandma was talking about slavery and war. Corri F.
I think you should read this book. A little girl ask how to sow a basket. Her grandma tells her stories about the past. Cassarra R.
The grandma tells stories from a long time ago. Amari D
This book is so sad but good at the same time. Sam P.
Down the Road
Down the Road by Alice Schertle; illustrated by EB LewisDown the Road is about a young girl who wants to help her parents…as a family, they usually go to the store to buy eggs and other groceries. One day, both parents are too busy to go to the store for fresh eggs and they allow Hettie to go get them for the first time by herself. She takes the money and a basket and walks to the store by herself. She has to walk across a long dusty road and over a stream. After she buys the eggs, she is very careful not to break them on her way back home. She walks by an apple tree. Knowing her parents love apples, she starts to collect three for the family. As she is picking apples, all the eggs fall out of the basket and break. Hettie is very upset and climbs the apple tree to figure out what to do next. Her dad finds her in the apple tree…find out what happens next when you read Down the Road.This is a great book to read to K-2.
The Bat Boy and His Violin
The Bat Boy and His Violin by Gavin Curtis; illustrated by EB Lewis
SCASL Children’s Book Award Nominee 2000-2001
Coretta Scott King Award winnerA story about a boy and his father…Reginald likes to play the violin, his dad is manager of The Dukes, the worst team in the Negro National League. Reginald’s dad wants him to play baseball and not “fiddle” all the time. He makes him the bat boy for his team and after many clumsy moments as Bat Boy, his dad tells him to practice his “fiddle” instead. Reginald starts to play music for the team as they play and they get better! All of the players are impressed with his talent and his dad starts to realize that playing music is important to Reginald and that it helps the team play. Reginald starts coming to all of The Dukes games to play the violin. Will it help them be a better team?
Idea for music class: Read this book while listening to the music that Reginald plays in the story.
Related activities for The Bat Boy and His Violin
My Rows and Piles of Coins
My Rows and Piles of Coins by Tololwa M. Mollel; illustrated by EB LewisThis story takes place in Tanzania and is about a boy who wants a bike. He saves his rows and piles of coins until he can afford to buy one. The story is very interesting because of what you can learn about the culture of Tanzania, in fact, the author is from Northern Tanzania.
This is an excellent tale about patience and about saving for something of your own.
Lesson plan for using My Rows and Piles of Coins to teach kids about investing
Lesson plan for using this book to teach kids about counting by tens
Virgie Goes to School With Us Boys
Virgie Goes to School With Us Boys written by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard; illustrated by E.B. Lewis
SCASL Children’s Book Award Nominee 2002-2003
Coretta Scott King Award Winner
This story takes place after the Civil War. Virgie and her brothers are the children of slaves. Quakers have started a school for black children so that they can learn to read and write. At first, only Virgie’s brothers get to go to school. They have to sleep there during the week and they come home to help their parents on the weekends. Virgie is always asking if she can go to school too and finally her parents allow her to go. When she gets to the school, she is excited to start learning with her brothers.
This is a true story, based on the family of the author.
Lesson plan from Read, Write, Think (Breaking Barriors, Building Bridges)
Coming on Home Soon
Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by E.B. Lewis.
This story takes place during WWII. Ada Ruth and her grandmother are left behind when Ada Ruth’s mother takes a job up north. They miss her terribly and each day that they don’t hear from her makes them miss her more. They adopt a cat, who helps ease the pain a little bit, but everyday they wait for the letter that will tell them when she’s coming on home. E.B. Lewis’ illustrations are beautiful and enhance the emotions of the story. Coming on Home Soon is a 2005 Caldecott Honor Book and a 2005 ALA Notable Book.
Suggestions for the classroom and for the home (these ideas are from Deanna McMillion, Graduate Student at School of Library and Information Science, LSU (Professor: Dr. Margie Thomas); Dorothy L. Grimsley, Instructor and Mallory Curley, Student at University of Louisiana at Lafayette) :
Classroom Connections Language Arts:
Letter-Writing • Have students pretend that they are Ada Ruth’s mother and have them write a letter to Ada Ruth, describing what it is like working far from home and family.
Art: Card • Have students design “Missing You” cards that Ada Ruth could send to her mother.
Social Studies • Students can compare/contrast life in Ada Ruth’s small community to life in the city of Chicago. • Have students locate Chicago on a map. Students can find pictures and information about Chicago and develop a bulletin board.
History • Read aloud When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr and discuss ways that World War II affected American citizens. • Invite a World War II veteran as a guest speaker. • Have students research life in America during World War II. Discuss hardships of families on the “homefront” and the role of women during the war.
Illustrator visit-E.B. Lewis
E.B. Lewis will be visiting DFES on Wednesday, Feb. 7. He is the illustrator of a number of excellent books including a current South Carolina Children’s Book Award nominee (Circle Unbroken). Also, 4th grade is studying E.B. Lewis for our school-wide author study.
As his visit gets closer, I will be posting book reviews about his books, along with lesson plan ideas for our teachers and talking points for parents when reading these books at home.
Here are some resources to check out if you want to learn more about the illustrator:
Center for Children’s Books Featured Illustrator (1997)
Artwork of EB Lewis at the R. Michealson Gallery
Please feel free to comment!
Love,
Mrs. Byrd Fort
