Day of Tears by Julius Lester

Day of Tears by Julius Lester is a novel in dialogue. It depicts a multi-perspective view on the biggest slave auction that took place in early March 1859 in Savannah, Georgia. The novel is a well rounded story that provides readers with an understanding of life for all people living in Savannah at the time of the auction. It reflects on the thoughts and actions of all people, in the moment and later, as each looks back on their decisions.  Readers will witness the slave life, the slave-owner's life, and all parties in between. This novel is saddening, multi-perspective look at Slavery. It provides an eye opening, fictional view on a historical event. 

 Lester, Julius. Day of Tears. New York: Jump At The Sun, 2007. Print.

Teaching Suggestions for Day of Tears by Julius Lester

• Before reading, review the time period and connect the content of the text to the topics they have discussed in current of prior social studies content about slavery. Review some key vocabulary terms that will come up in the reading such as plantation, slave/slavery, slave quarters, gambling, debt, slave selling. Set the stage for the text and the content they will be experiencing. Assign students a character in the book for reading, like a reader's theater. 
• During reading, pause every so often for students to establish connections to the text whether it be personal, connection to another text or to the world. Lead students to study their lives now in comparison to the lives of these people in the 1850s. 
• After reading, present the websites below that provide extra information on the auction. Have students reflect on the time period in a writing activity prompted as: Julius Lester wrote this fictional story based on actual historical events. Think about what you've learned about the large slave auction from the book and what we have researched about the event as a class (websites). Explain the challenges faced by all parties involved: the buyers, sellers, and the slaves. Did any good come out of this large slave auction? How would you have felt as an onlooker?as a slave? as a buyer or as a seller?

Supplemental Websites for Day of Tears

• America's Library Account of the Slave Auction
• The Weeping Time

Both of the websites provided above have accounts of the events that led to the largest slave auction in history. They provide information about the days of the auction and the people who were most influenced by it. 

Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata is an inspirational story about two sisters who complement each other in many ways. They cherish their family and their family values while living through financial limitations and racial discrimination. The story is a reflection of Katie's life, who describes her families' life through her relationships with her family members. Things for the Takeshima family are difficult, with both mom and dad working. Katie's older sister Lynn, teaches her everything she knows and takes care of Katie when mom and dad aren't around. But everything changes for the Takeshima family when Lynn, the rock in the family, becomes ill. This story is a family oriented one that explores family morals in a unstable society. It shows the effects of economic status and the effect of illness and death on a family. 
           Kadohata, Cynthia. Kira-Kira. New York: Aladdin, 2006. Print.  Teaching Suggestions for Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

• Before reading, introduce the story to the students and point out the locations of which the family lived and the locations they travel through on a map: Ohio, Georgia, and the places they pass in between. Most terminology from the book come from those locations. Also, introduce Japanese terminology that will arise in the text, and show that their definitions are explained within the text. (First example of this is on the first page, first chapter: Kira Kira). Discuss the racial separations between Americans, Japanese Americans and Chinese or other Asian Americans. *Information for further exploration can be found on one of the supplemental websites- Listed below. 
• During reading, have students point out the major components in the relationship between Katie and Lynn. Explore each character, maybe using a graphic organizer, and compare and contrast the two. What makes them similar? or different? How do they complement each other? Determine the morals and values each of them cherish.  Continue adding in information while reading.
• An after reading, writing prompt can be: Using the events leading up to Lynn's death, rewrite the ending of the story. How will you change or alter Katie and Lynn's relationship? Will Lynn still pass away? What events will you add into the story? Will Katie still have anger towards Lynn? Use your character comparisons to alter the ending.

Supplemental Websites for Kira Kira

• Japanese American National Museum provides information from research and historical information about Japanese Americans. There is also background information on historical exhibitions from the museum that provide insight for students. 
• Asian American History provides history, demographics and issues of all Asian American cultures.*

Just Juice by Karen Hesse

Hesse, Karen. Just Juice (Scholastic Signature). New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 1999. Print

Just Juice is a graphic novel which depicts the life of a financially struggling family. Juice's illiterate Father, Gannon, has lost his job and is on the unsuccessful search to find a job to support his family. Juice, hates going to school because she can't read and somehow convinces her father to allow her to help him and her Ma at home rather than attending school. In an imperfect moment,  a letter is received from the town hall's office that states Gannon has been late on paying his property taxes and will soon be losing his house. But when Gannon can't find a job, it seems there's no more hope for the Faulstich family. This story proves the importance of family,  shows a family's struggle for stability through perseverance, the search for hope, and the affect on society and it's laws on families. 


Teaching suggestions for Just Juice by Karen Hesse
This novel should be an easy read for most third or fourth grade students. Some vocabulary terms that may be discussed before or during reading include these words: stethescope, tax/taxes, debts, diabetes, fiddle, and social services.

• Before reading: Provide students with a view of societal issues. Ask questions like, what are some laws that you know your parents must follow for your own good? What are taxes? What things do we get taxed on? Is it possible that some families may be able to provide more for their children than others? Lead students to brainstorm ideas related to the text so that subjects like social services getting involved in Juice's family are connected to society today.
• During reading, analyze the plot of the story and point out or ask student to point out the problem, conflicts, and the solution of the story. These conflicts are mostly related to the key vocabulary terms and the discussion prior to reading. 
• After reading, a writing activity can be completed by using a question from the Scholastic website that accompanies the novel. A sample question is: Literacy means more than being able to read books. How does Juice show she knows how to read? How does she use her reading skills to help Ma? What can you read that others might have trouble reading? For example, a computer game manual or poetry or music.

Supplemental Websites for Just Juice include the following:

•  CT Department of Social Services This web page will provide you as a teacher with background knowledge that you can provide students if and when they question you about it- whether it spark from the before reading discussion or during reading. 

• Just Juice- Scholastic Discussion Guide This page can be used a resource for supplemental discussion questions, writing prompts, or guiding questions.

 

Hello Visitors!

Hello Everyone! My name is Jennifer, and I'm currently a student working towards my dream in becoming a teacher. "Show Me the BOOKS!" will be a personal record of children's literature that I've been reading for my coursework. And, it will later serve as a reference for implementing in my classroom.

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