Author/Illustrator: Eve Bunting/Ted LewinPlot Summary: Farah, a Muslim girl begins school in America speaking no English. She accompanies her new class on a field trip to an apple orchard where they go on a hay ride, pick apples, and make apple cider. Through these activities, the ice is broken and the seeds of friendship are planted.
Comments: This book describes the many emotions children might feel when they are in a new situation. Farah's situation in her new school was complicated by the fact that she did not speak English and wore a dupatta, a small, head scarf. Her observations about her situation and the way she handles herself would be an excellent way to teach children empathy, as well as how we might react or act around a new student, and particularly an immigrant.
Extensions:
1. I would recommend this book to the school Counselor. It could be use with role playing exercises or other, related activities.
2. This book could be used to introduce a writing assignment whereby students share a situation where they were new or didn't know anyone. Or, they could write about Farah's relationship with her classmates six months after the end of the story.
Themes/keywords: self-confidence, immigrants, apples, school field trip, Muslim
Age/Reading Level: Interest Level - K - 3; ATOS;Follett: 2.6; Lexile - 830
Standards:
ELA2W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature.
ELA3W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature.
Expeditionary Learning Design Principle:
7. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Both diversity and inclusion increase the richness of ideas, creative power, problem-solving ability, and respect for others. In Expeditionary Learning schools, students investigate and value their different histories and as well as those of other communities and cultures. Schools and learning groups are heterogeneous.
Publisher's Info: Clarion Books, New York 2006
ISBN: 13-978-0-618-43477-0; 10-0-618-43477-1
Awards/Review Sources:
Multicultural Review 12/01/06 | Wilson's Children 10/01/06 |
| School Library Journal 06/01/06 | Book Links (A.L.A.) 07/01/08 |
| Booklist starred 06/01/06 | Horn Book 10/01/06 |
| Kirkus Review 06/01/06 | Library Media Connection 08/01/06 |
Websites:
http://www.amazon.com/One-Green-Apple-Eve-Bunting/dp/0618434771
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: dupatta
Comments