Reading Matters Winter 2019

Rise of the Jumbies Baptiste, Tracey. (2017). 266 pp. Algonquin. 978-1-61620-665-9. $16.95 (Intermediate). —by Olivia Loynes In this sequel to her first book, The Jumbies (2015), Tracey Baptiste follows young heroine Corinne La Mer on a new journey to help save the children of the island. When an earthquake rocks not just the ground she stands on but her entire world, Corinne is forced into action. In the aftermath, as

How to Build a Museum: Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture

Bolden, Tonya. (2016). 64 pp. Viking. 9780451476371. $17.99 (Intermediate/ Young Adult). —by Carlie Moseley Open the pages into the story of how“a hundred-year hope, a hundred-year dream” (p. 3) for a national museum celebrating African American history and culture came to

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be. Take a glimpse at some of the institution’s precious history and treasures, such as paintings, photographs, posters, pottery, dolls, books, benches, bells, diaries, and more. Tonya Bolden takes readers straight through the doors of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. and details the long struggle to create it. In addition to discussing the planning, building, and creation of the museum, Bolden provides insights into how the curators went about collecting the cultural memorabilia. Throughout the text, she provides a tremendous amount of information to the reader, as well as additional details in the captions about the artifacts featured. Authentic photos and reproductions of artwork and other materials enhance this well-documented book. Famous artifacts mentioned in the book range from a Tuskegee airplane to clothing of slaves and dresses of abolitionist movement speakers. How to Build a Museum is a must-read for anyone who would like to learn more about U.S. history, African American history, or museums.

the blanket of water covering their island begins to retreat, villagers notice that children are missing. Left clueless, the city places the blame on those like Corinne, the jumbies. In the pursuit to save her friends, Corrine must clear her name and that of the jumbies. However, her only hope lies in the depths of the ocean with the head jumbie, Mama D’Leau, ruler of the sea. Corrinne discovers that Mama D’Leau’s help will come at a price. With a skeptical deal, some magic, and her three best friends, will Corinne be able to save the children and her island? With picturesque language, Baptiste takes readers on an adventure across land and underwater while incorporating aspects of Caribbean culture. Readers will enjoy watching the characters grow and discover their strengths, both real and magical. Baptiste’s second story uncovers fantastical creatures and the strength of one young girl.

Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe Blumenthal, Deborah. (2017). Illus. by Laura Freeman. Unpaged. Little Bee. 978-1-4998- 0239-9. $17.99 (Primary/Intermediate). —by Hanna Gibson “Ann thought about what she could do, not what she couldn’t change.”This was the motto of Ann Cole Lowe, whose life story is

Grand Canyon Chin, Jason. (2017). Unpaged. Roaring Brook. 978-1-59643-950-4. $19.99 (Primary/ Intermediate). —by Caitlyn Smoldt “A river winds through the landscape, eroding the rock for millions of years, shaping a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, as much as 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as...Grand

told in this book. She was an African American woman in the early 1900s who overcame racial and gender limitations that were imposed on her. In Fancy Party Gowns , Ann overcomes the death of her mother at an early age, discrimination at design school, and the lack of recognition for her work because of her skin color. The story follows the events of Ann’s life, from a small girl sewing scraps of cloth in her mama’s shop all the way until she is finally recognized by the fashion industry. She never lets adversity stop her from reaching her dreams. Eventually, Ann designs the wedding dress of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and all of her bridesmaids’ dresses. Throughout the book, Ann conveys a sense of perseverance and determination. The illustrations capture the intricate designs of her gowns and show the growth of her work from scraps as a child to Cinderella-type gowns worn by celebrities at gala events.

Canyon.” Join a young girl and her father on their adventure through the grandest canyon on Earth. Readers will learn about the many plants and animals that call the Grand Canyon home. Creeks deep within are home to frogs and deer. Slopes are home to snakes, and caves are home to one of the rarest birds in the world, the California condor. The girl and her dad walk the reader through the Inner Gorge, the Colorado River, the Kaibab Formation, and more. Readers also witness how fossils provide us with a view of what life was like in the Grand Canyon millions of years ago. Jason Chin combines text, illustrations, and back matter to show the interconnectedness of the land, plants, and animals. For example, an illustration of a creek is paired with text explaining how animals rely on the water. The surrounding back matter shows various plants and animals also found in that area. The illustrations and earthy hues used in the book reflect the depth and grandeur of the Grand Canyon. The illustrations complement the text, and the information-rich back matter

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