The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Written by Sherman Alexie
Published in 2007 by Little, Brown
Grades 9 and up
ISBN 978-0-316-01368-0

Book Review

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie proves to be both highly readable and full of thought-provoking dialogue. In the story, 14-year old Arnold Spirit Jr. (simply called Junior by most people he knows) lives on the Spokane Indian reservation. Despite a history of health issues from birth, Junior knows that he wants to find a life outside of the reservation. With surprising determination, he chooses to attend a predominantly white school outside of the reservation boundaries. While at the school, he confronts racism and intolerance. He also learns that both friends and family can be imperfect but still provide support when he least expects it. The story combines humor, outstanding writing and whimsical illustrations to confront some of the serious issues tackled in the book.  Teachers and librarians will find this a “must read,” particularly when looking at issues of social class, racism, and grief. Highly recommended.

Teaching Ideas/Invitations for Your Classroom

Native American History (English, History)
In conjunction with the English or History teacher, develop background knowledge on the history of Native American people, particularly the Spokane Tribe. Search in the library databases for information about the history of Native American reservations. Where is the reservation located? Why do the reservations exist? How have they impacted the lives of Native American people? What are some of the issues faced by Native American people today? Introduce primary sources from the databases of Native American experiences with life on a reservation.

English SOL 9.4i Explain the influence of historical context on the form, style and point of view of written work.

History VUS.6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major events from the last decade of the eighteenth century through the first half of the nineteenth century by b) identifying the economic, political, and geographic factors that led to territorial expansion and its impact on American Indians.

What's in a picture? (Fine Arts)
Investigate the impact of the illustrations/cartoons in the book.  If possible, collaborate with an art teacher for this lesson. How do they help the reader understand Junior's perspective? Invite students to create their own cartoons. Brainstorm with students the issues and topics that worry or cause stress for them. Does drawing about it help them understand their own feelings/perspectives? Search the library for resources about the use of cartoons as expressive forms of art.

Fine Arts AI.5 The student will employ a variety of subject matter, including cultural or social concepts, to express ideas in original words of art. 

Family Time (Health) Junior discusses his family and their behavior frequently. Consider his father, mother and sister. Look at how each character is developed by the author. Which traits of each character provided a positive role model for Junior? Which traits provided a negative role model for Junior?  What aspects of their lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.) impacted their health and wellness. Find specific quotes to support your thoughts. Collaborate with the P.E. teacher or guidance counselor to  locate resources on healthy lifestyles.

Health SOL 8.1 The student will identify and explain essential health concepts to demonstrate an understanding of personal health. 

 

Basketball (Physical Education) 

Basketball helps Junior develop confidence at his new school. Collaborate with a physical education teacher to introduce basketball skills to the students. In particular, investigate what it takes to be a long-range shooter like Junior. Use the library databases to find video clips that showcase basketball skills.

P.E. SOL 10.3 The student will demonstrate the ability to apply basic principles of training and scientific concepts and principles to evaluate current fitness behaviors and identify strategies needed for health-enhancing fitness for the present and into adulthood.

Investigating the title (English)

What does the author mean by "part-time Indian" as referred to in the title of the book? What does this imply about Junior's own sense of identity? Use the library resources to investigate the concept of code switching. How do we handle the juxtaposition between current societal norms and other cultures? Does our society accept other cultures and groups easily? What do you see happening in your own world? 

English SOL 9.4g Analyze the cultural or social functions of a literary text.

Further Explorations
Trail of Tears Cherokee Legacy(Documentary) Documentary about the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their homeland and their subsequent struggle for identity. This resource has been endorsed by the Cherokee Nation. It has also won many awards.
 
The Snowy Day (children's book) - Alexie explains how The Snowy Day was the first book that really hooked him into the power of literature. While this book is written for elementary-age students, it would be an interesting assignment for older students to investigate this book for the themes that struck Alexie.   

The Avengers (movie) A comic book adventure where heroes work together to save the world. This would be an interesting means to connect to the use of cartoons in Alexie's book. This may appeal to students who show a keen interest in art/comics.

Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot (documentary)  With so much emphasis on the sport of basketball in the book, this documentary on an NBA star may spark interest with basketball fans. This may appeal to students who prefer documentaries as well as those students who want to learn more about life in the NBA.

Pow Wow Investigate the possibility of visiting a real Indian Pow Wow. In Virginia, the Chickahominy Tribe welcomes visitors to their Pow Wow. More information can be found at http://www.chickahominytribe.org/Events/events.htm. This is an excellent opportunity to watch a real Native American experience.

TED Talk  Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story 
Excellent TED talk about creating authentic texts about different people and cultures - and in recognizing our own prejudices. This is an excellent resource for helping students and teachers alike to think about their own biases.
https://www.ted.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all?gclid=Cj0KEQjw7pHLBRDqs-X8hZ3Mgp0BEiQAXIo9rn8Uv7fklDqiHUlICr_y1xntqwvStExzP476t7f5NloaAjn28P8HAQ

Author Study Learn more about Sherman Alexie through his website: http://fallsapart.com/

Partner Titles
Lucas (movie), directed by David Seltzer. A coming-of-age movie that deals with some similar themes to Alexie's book. The movie delves into bullying, feeling like an outsider and teen angst. (The movie does contain profanity and nudity). This provides a connection to the book in a different format. The movie/video format is often more engaging for teens.

The Face of America (collection of plays). Four dramas about growing up in ethnically diverse communities.  The plays focus on different issues for each of the young protagonists. It supports the theme of the book as well as giving voice to a wide array of cultures.

Chillax (book).  Written in a graphic and prose style, this book investigates the often humorous adventures of two teen friends. Teens may find the combination of graphic and prose style appealing.

Into the River (book).  The story of a young Maori teen's difficult experiences at a boarding school. This is a resource that is relevant to the curriculum as it touches on some of the same issues as Alexie's book.

Wabanaki Blues (book).  The story of a young teen who has to spend the summer with her Mohegan Indian grandfather, who she rarely sees.  This book adds value to the collection as it provides another perspective on diversity.

Keepers of the Game (documentary)  A sports documentary about the female lacrosse team of the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. This documentary covers similar themes to the Alexie's book, including cultural norms, gender issues, stereotypes and racism. These are important current issues that resonate with teens. 

References 
Adichie, C.N. (n.d.) The danger of a single story [Ted Talk]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all?gclid=Cj0KEQjw7pHLBRDqs-X8hZ3Mgp0BEiQAXIo9rn8Uv7fklDqiHUlICr_y1xntqwvStExzP476t7f5NloaAjn28P8HAQ
Alexie, S. (n.d.). Fallsapart.com [Website]. Retrieved from http://fallsapart.com/ 
Brosius, P. & Adams, E. (2011). The face of america.  Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. 
Dawe, T. (2016). Into the river. New York: Polis books. 
Ehrlich, J. (Producer, Director). (2016). Keepers of the game [Documentary]. United States: Tribeca. 
Heape, S.R. (Producer) & Richie, C. (Director). (2006). Trail of tears cherokee legacy [Motion picture]. United States: Rich-Heape Films Inc.  
Keats, E.J. (1962). The snowy day. New York: Viking. 
Kirkus Review (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sherman-alexie/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian.
Seltzer, D. (Director). (1986). Lucas [Motion picture].
Tantaquidgeon, M. (2015). Wabanaki blues. Scottsdale AZ: Poisoned Pencil. 
Virginia Department of Education. (2010). Standards of learning. Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/. 



 

Bone Gap

Bone Gap
Written by Laura Ruby
Published in 2015 by Balzer & Bray
Grades 8 and up
ISBN 978-0-06-231762-9

Book Review

 Bone Gap by Laura Ruby is a unique combination of realism and fantasy. A National Book Award finalist and winner of the Printz award, it is highly recommended. The story centers on the mysterious disappearance of Roza, an equally mysterious newcomer to the town of Bone Gap. She shows up one day, clearly injured, in the barn of two young brothers, Sean and Finn.  Over the course of the story, an important and misunderstood aspect of the younger brother, Finn, is uncovered by his beekeeper girlfriend, Petey. Equal parts magic, fantasy and realism, the disappearance of Roza is eventually solved, but only when Finn comes to understand himself. The story is beautifully written with rich characters woven throughout the story. While parts of the story are not thoroughly explained by the author, the book itself is engaging. Teachers and librarians will want to add this to their shelves, particularly when looking at issues of character development and identity. Highly recommended

Teaching Ideas/Invitations for Your Classroom
Who is the scarecrow? (English) 
Work with an English teacher to investigate the symbolism of the Scarecrow man. Who is he? Is he real? Who does he represent in our society? What is his weakness? Students will use the Opinion-Proof strategy to guide their thinking and discussion.
SOL 11.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and culture. d) Analyze the social or cultural function of American literature.

Roza - will she return? (English )   
Roza disappears and is lost to Sean, until his brother Finn figures out where she is and how to get her back to Bone Gap. She plans to return to Poland for a little while. Will she return to Bone Gap? Why or why not? Investigate the qualities of her character and compare it to other universal characters in literature. Work with an English teacher. Use the library database to search for other universal characters in literature.
SOL 11.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and culture. c) Discuss American literature as it reflects traditional and contemporary themes, motifs, universal characters, and genres. 

The importance of bees (Science)
One of the main characters, Petey, is a beekeeper. Bees are extremely important for our ecosystem. Students will study the impact of bees on our environment. They will focus on how crucial they are to our ecosystems. They will also investigate threats to bees. Collaborate with the science teacher to search for resources on bees and their impact on our ecosystem.
SOL BIO.8 The student will investigate and understand dynamic equilibria within populations, communities and ecosystems, including d) the effects of natural events and human activities on ecosystems.  


Become a character  (Computer Technology)  Students use an online chart to match the character traits in a book they are reading with specific actions the characters take. In this case, students should focus on either Finn, Petey, the Scarecrow, Charlie Valentine or Sean.Work with the technology teacher or an English teacher to select an appropriate online chart for use by the students.
SOL CT 9-12.13 Demonstrate organization and persistence when completing personal and group assignments, activities, and projects. A) use digital resources to assist with project planning.

Investigate Poland ( Geography) Focus on Roza's homeland. Work with an English teacher to support the gathering of information about the language and culture of Poland. Why did the author choose to make Roza from another country? How did this impact the storyline? 
SOL WG.6 The student will analyze past and present trends in human migration and cultural interaction as they are influence by social, economic, political, and environmental factors.
 
Further Explorations
Visit a beekeeper Learn about the ins and outs of beekeeping by a hands-on visit to a local one. Field trips tend to help students, particularly struggling students, develop background knowledge about a subject. It also adds to their enjoyment and motivation about learning in general.

Difret (movie) Like Bone Gap, a young woman is kidnapped against her will. This intense Ethiopian film makes the case for girls/women's rights. However, this movie goes beyond the book as it is based on real events and is significantly more violent. It's important focus on minority women should be noted.

Face Blindness Learn more about Finn's affliction. Retrieved from
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/living-with-face-blindness/279898/. 
This is a resource to help educate the general population about an often misunderstood affliction.

Face Blindness Part 1 (TV- 60 minutes report). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxqsBk7Wn-Y. This is a resource to help educate the general population about an often misunderstood affliction.

Face Blindness Part 2 (TV - 60 minutes report). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8cXus7SNQY. This is a resource to help educate the general population about an often misunderstood affliction.

Testing Face Blindness (World Science Festival) Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s6kQdyyxOE. This is an interesting resource that students without face blindness may find intriguing.

Living with Face Blindness (news report) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vQGPcYfIAoP. Another interesting perspective on living with face blindness.

Partner Titles 
Harry Potter (movie) Incredibly popular movie  that weaves magic and self-identity together. Like Harry, Finn moves between reality and the netherworld without any parents for guidance. Harry Potter's may appeal is its incredible popularity and creativity. It may encourage even the most reluctant student.

The Memory Trees (book) Protagonist Sorrow returns to her family's home in Vermont to heal from the loss of her sister. Family dynamics and mystical forces are a focus in this book. This book adds value to the collection as a result of its intriguing story line.

A Fierce and Subtle Poison (book)  A story with a heavy Caribbean influence, mystery and magic.  Again, this book adds value based on its interesting setting and engaging story line.

The Odds of Lightning (book). The story of four teens who are brought back together by a seemingly random, perhaps magical, lightning bolt. This book is an appropriate title for teen readers due to its curious plot.

A Million Junes (book) A story that relies on magical realism to tell the story of two feuding families.  

Lost (TV show) - Like Bone Gap, Lost fluctuates between realism and fantasy. There are complex characters and lots of questions as the show progresses, not unlike Bone Gap. A high interest show for teens and families. Lost has also won numerous awards, including the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2005.

References
Abrams, J.J. (Executive Producer). (2004). Lost [Television series]. United States: Bad Robot Productions. 
Chowan, S. (2013, Sep). Living with face blindness. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/living-with-face-blindness/279898/. 
Davies, J. (2016). The odds of lightning. New York, NY: Pulse/Simon & Schuster.
Finkelstein, S. (Producer). (2012). Face blindness, parts 1 &2 [Television series episodes]. 60 minutes. New York, NY: CBS. 
Henry, E. (2017). A million junes. New York, NY:Razorbill/Penguin.
Kirkus Reviews (n.d.).  Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/laura-ruby/bone-gap/.
Living with face blindness. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vQGPcYfIAoP. 
Mabry, S. (2016). A fierce and subtle poison. New York, NY: Algonquin. 
Mandefro, M. & Demoz, L. (Producers) & Mehari, Z.G. (Director). (2014). Difret [Motion picture]. United States: Haile Addis Pictures. 
Readingquest.org (n.d.). Opinion-Proof. Retrieved from http://www.readingquest.org/strat/opinion.html 
Wallace, K. (2107). The memory trees. New York, NY: Tegen/HarperCollins 
World Science Foundation. (2014). Testing face blindness. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s6kQdyyxOE. 
Virginia Department of Education. (2010). Standards of learning. Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/.  

The Inquisitor's Tale - or Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog

The Inquisitor's Tale Or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog
Written by Adam Gidwitz
Illuminated by Hatem Aly
Published in 2016 by Dutton Children's Books
Grades 5 and up
ISBN 978-0525426165

Book Review

The Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz is a captivating adventure centering on three children and their magical dog. Based in France in the thirteenth-century, it is well worth reading. The tale, borrowing from the structure of The Canterbury Tales, is told by various narrators as they gather at a local Inn. Based on real events, the children attempt to halt the burning of religious books. As a result, they become a source of controversy, where some look at them as almost angelic whereas other, including the King of France, consider them dangerous. The children and their friendship, which transcends race, religion, socioeconomic status and gender, become a source of inspiration at the end. Their story combines humor, action and accurate historical references. Teachers and librarians will definitely want to add this to their libraries. The story combines medieval history, lessons on religious tolerance, and highly engaging characters. Highly recommended. 

Teaching Ideas/Invitations for Your Classroom

Develop Background Knowledge (History)
Introduce students to thirteenth-century France to help with their reading comprehension. Work with an English or History teacher to check the author's notes for several excellent sources.  Assist with  locating Bennet's (1999) A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader of Brigstock. It's an accessible resource for middle and high school students. Provide support for the teachers as they prepare an anticipation guide to structure the lesson.

SOL WHI.9     The student will demonstrate knowledge of Western Europe during the Middle Ages from about 500 to 1000 a.d. (c.e.) in terms of its impact on Western civilization by

a)   sequencing events related to the spread and influence of Christianity and the Catholic Church throughout Europe;

b)         explaining the structure of feudal society and its economic, social, and political effects  

Book Reviews (English, Computer Technology)
Assist the English teacher with locating excellent examples and resource guides for writing book reviews.  Support the teacher and students as they create a list of important qualities of a book review. Students will work in small groups to write a book review about The Inquisitor's Tale. Guide the groups in the use of technology to share and edit information.

SOL 6.1 The student will participate in and contribute to small-group activities. a) Communicate as leader and contributor. b) Evaluate own contributions to discussions. c) Summarize and evaluate group activities. d) Analyze the effectiveness of participant interactions. 

SOL 6.7 The student will write narration, description, exposition, and persuasion.  j) Use computer technology to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writing. 
SOL CT 9-12.9 Plan and apply strategies for gathering information, using a variety of tools and sources.

Investigating heroes in literature (Family Life)
The three young protagonists in the story are heroes in their defense of religion. In this lesson, students will investigate the notion of a hero. Help the teacher find resources (books, magazines, DVDs) with information about current heroes. Students will work in small groups to generate a list of the characteristics of heroes.  From there, they will read The Inquisitor's Tale and compare the heroic qualities of the children in The Inquisitor's Tale to current heroes. They will look at their values, morals, and ethics.
SOL 10.3 The student will examine values, morals and ethics essential to the growth and maintenance of positive human relationships. 

Map Making (History: World Geography)
Students will recreate the movement of each character throughout the story as they traverse France. Help the students and teachers locate maps and other resources that will help them to track the movement of the characters. 
SOL WG The student will use maps, globes, satellite images, photographs or diagrams to b) apply the concepts of location, scale, map projection or orientation.

Medieval Games (Physical Education)
With your assistance and the use of the library's resources, students will research games that were prevalent during the Medieval time period. They will research what games we still play today that originally came from the Medieval days. With a possible collaboration from a P.E. teacher, students will present the games to their classmates. The classmates will have the chance to practice each game. 
SOL 9.1 The student will perform all basic movement skills and demonstrate movement and biomechanical principles in a variety of activities that may include outdoor pursuits, fitness activities, dance and rhythmic activities, aquatics, individual performance activities, and games and sports. 

Further Explorations

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Investigate one or two of the original tales for comparison to The Inquisitor's Tale. This is a classic tale that should already be in a library's collection. Some students may find this a difficult work to read, so support may be needed.

Medieval Fashion Research the clothing and fashion of the Medieval times. Using this information, create examples of what each main character would most likely be wearing. How did a peasant dress as compared to a noblemen? This activity adds variety to more traditional subject areas.

Medieval Food Look at the foods eaten during the Medieval time period. How did it differ based on social class? How does it compare to what we eat today? Recreate a Medieval feast! This activity is hands-on and should be highly engaging to a wide array of students.

Medieval Art Look into what kind of artwork comes from the Medieval time. Have students create their own artwork based on the styles of the Medieval time period. Since this activity is open-ended, students with varying skills in art can still take part.

Virginia Renaissance Fairs - Take a trip to the Virginia Renaissance Fair. For more information, visit these websites: http://www.varf.org/. How does this time period differ from Medieval times? Field trips tend to be memorable and highly motivating for all kinds of learners.

Medieval castles How and why were the castles designed? What were the advantages and disadvantages of the design? Have students build their own mini version of a Medieval castle. https://www.dkfindout.com/us/history/castles/ Students who thrive with hands-on, creative activities may find this particularly engaging.

Malala Yousafzi  Look for real-life example of teenagers doing brave, heroic acts, like Malala Yousafzi.  Learning more about other teens should be a motivating activity.

Partner Titles 
Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower (movie)  This documentary follows a young Chinese teenager's effort to create a youth movement to protest Communist China's takeover of Hong Kong. Critically-acclaimed, it is a quality movie.
The Kidnap Plot (book) An adventure narrative and steampunk fiction that highlights the importance of kindness.The style adds some variety to a library's collection.
The Blackthorn Key (book) A smart mystery that highlights well-researched historical details, engaging characters, adventure and humor. A well-written book that teens will find engaging.
Hell and High Water (book).  A tale of a bright young protagonist who deals with racism and doubt while uncovering the mystery of his father's death. This story adds to the ongoing conversation about racism, which is both current and relevant.
The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse (book). A magical story that showcases the power of female friendships. This book depicts strong female characters, which is quite appropriate for a teen collection.
If You Build It (Documentary). A documentary that continues the theme of what kids can do when given a chance. This documentary is a real-life companion to the book as it showcases the abilities of young people to make a difference. 

References 
Butler, D. (2016). The kidnap plot. New York, NY: Knopf.  
Chaucer, G. (2003). The canterbury tales (revised). New York: Penguin Classics. 
O'Malley, C. & Baer, N. (Producers) & Creadon, P. (Director). (2013). If you build it [Documentary]. United States: Studio H. 
Farrey, B. (2016). The secret of dreadwillow carse. New York, NY: Algonquin.
Kirkus Review (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/adam-gidwitz/the-inquisitors-tale/.

Landman, T. (2017). Hell and high water. Somerville, MA :Candlewick. 
Piscatella, J. (Producer, Director). (2017). Joshua: Teenager vs. superpower. [Documentary].  United States: Netflix. 
Reading Rockets (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/anticipation_guide 
Sands, K. (2015). The blackthorn key. New York, NY: Aladdin. 
Virginia Department of Education. (2010). Standards of learning. Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/.  

All American Boys

 All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Published in 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Grades 8 and up
ISBN 978-1-4814-6333-1

Book Review

All American Boys by Jason Reynold and Brendan Kiely is a powerful novel about race, friendship and family. When Rashad stops at a local convenience store to buy a snack, he never expects the events of one moment to impact his life in such a profound manner. Told primarily through the lens of two characters, Rashad and his white teammate, Quinn, the two authors share the complex emotions and viewpoints that accompany police violence and racism. Quinn’s progression as a character shows how difficult it can be to make the right choice, particularly when some of your friends and family members prove to be at odds. A sub plot surrounds the complexity of family from both character’s experiences. The book ultimately ends on an uplifting note, showing the power of making the right choice. Highly recommended. 

 Teaching Ideas/Invitations for Your Classroom

Developing Background Knowledge - Civil Rights Era (History)
Use a strategy like KWL (Ogle, 1986) to establish what the students know about the civil rights era. Use the strategy as a guide to develop this crucial background knowledge. Collaborate with a history teacher to locate resources that will provide an background information. Look at issues from the 1960s as well as current cases of police violence. (Description of the KWL strategy can be found here).
SOL USII.9 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the key domestic and international issues during the  second half of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries by a) examining the Civil Rights Movement and the changing role of women.  

Sports and School (Physical Education)
Sports, particularly basketball, play an important role in the lives of many teenagers. Rashad, Quinn, English, Shannon and Carlos all spend considerable time working on their basketball skills. As a contrast,  have students select, research and then showcase an athletic skill that they have little experience with. Work with a P.E. teacher and help locate resources (particularly videos) that show the skills in action. Skills can vary from shooting a basketball, running around the track, doing a handstand, etc. 
SOL 9.4b The student will explain the impact of sports and activities in developing respect for the unique characteristics, differences and abilities of peers.

Cartoons as social commentary (Fine Arts) 
Rashad has a large collection of clippings from the cartoon, Family Circus (Keane, B. & Keane, J.).  He enjoys looking at them since "it seemed like white families, at least in comics, lived simple, easy lives" (Reynolds, J., Kiely, B., 2015, p. 143). Look at what Rashad says about the Family Circus. Help locate examples of the Family Circus and other cartoons in the library databases. Why do you think he likes it so much? From there, investigate how cartoons/comics are often used as social commentary. What do you think different characters would say about their communities? Collaborate with an art teacher to have students create their own cartoons about current events. 
SOL AII.13 The student will examine and discuss social, political, economic and cultural factors that influence works of art and design.
  
Active reading through self-assessment: the student-made quiz (English)    
Students work in collaborative teams to develop a variety of kinds of questions about the book (literal, inferential, evaluative). Students will develop quizzes to take for self-assessment of reading comprehension of the book. Collaborate with an English teacher to investigate ways to create online quizzes.  In order to help guide students understanding of questioning, use the Question-Answer Relationship strategy as guide. 
SOL 11.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and culture. k) Generate and respond logically to literal, inferential, evaluative, synthesizing, and critical thinking questions before, during, and after reading texts. 

Podcasts (Computer Technology)
In All American Boys, Quinn reflects deeply on what he believes in. Work with an English teacher to locate examples of podcasts about equality and education.  Students will listen to the podcasts to stretch their thinking. They will then use what they have learned to create their own philosophy statements.  
SOL C/T 9-12.9 Plan and apply strategies for gathering information, using a variety of tools and sources, and reflect on alternate strategies that might lead to greater successes in future projects. A) use various technology and digital resources to collect information.

Further Explorations
Eyes on the Prize (documentary) A 14-part documentary on the Civil Rights movement. A classic documentary that will provide excellent information for all kinds of learners.

Letter from Birmingham Jail (letter) Martin Luther King's famous letter about the injustice of racism. This is a primary source that will help current students develop an appreciate for what MLK Jr. did.

Miranda Rights  Investigate exactly what are an individual's Miranda Rights. Look at their connection to the 5th amendment. This will allow all students a better understanding of what the Miranda Rights are (and are not).

Landmark cases  Learn about some of the landmark cases connected to civil rights and/or Miranda rights. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_miranda.html. While these cases may be a bit complex for a struggling learner, they do provide excellent background knowledge.

Author studies Learn more about the two authors at  jasonwritesbooks.com and brendankiely.com
Learning more about each author can provide an extra incentive for students who may also be intrigued by the subject matter or in developing their writing skills. 

One Crazy Summer (book) - This books gives a fictional account of a woman involved with the Black Panthers. It shows how the Black Panthers supported local communities. While the work is fiction, it provides a different perspective for students.

Partner Titles
Allen Iverson (ESPN documentary) No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson 17-year old basketball star Allen Iverson is arrested and brought to trial in Hampton, Virginia. The trial sharply divided the city along racial lines. This documentary goes beyond what happened to Rashad, but the conversation about racism is the same. ESPN's documentaries are well done. This story, while not recent, will resonate with students as it took place in Virginia to a famous athlete.

Black and White (Speak) (book)  Two friends and athletes, one black and one white, whose ill-advised choices impact their futures. This is a timely and well-written book.

Racial Profiling (book).  In-depth examination of the history and impact of racial profiling in the United States. This book will add accuracy regarding racial profiling to the library's collection.

How It Went Down (book). The ramifications of a racially charged shooting are looked at from multiple characters' viewpoints. This book is appropriate for teens as it centers on a relevant, current topic.

The Bombs that Brought Us Together (book). Set up as an allegorical tale, the story highlights the differences between two regions and the difficulties they have in seeing one another's perspectives.This book adds to the collection as it takes the issue of understanding one another and provides another avenue to explore it.

References 
Behnke, A.M. (2017). Racial profiling. Minneapolis, MN:Twenty-First Century/Lerner.
Civil Rights Cases (n.d). Retrieved from
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_miranda.html.
Conaghan, B. (2016). The bombs that brought us together. New York, NY: Bloomsbury.  
Hampton, H. (Producer). (1987). Eyes on the prize [Documentary]. United States: Blackside. 
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